Darius Slayton
WR, Auburn · 2019 NFL Draft, Round 5, pick #171 (NYG)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings, age, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #112 overall (#16 at his position), but he lasted until pick #171: teams let him slide 59 spots past that ranking.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (654 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
22 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.1% of the time (2,011 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 106 of ~117 possible regular-season games from 2019 through 2025 (~91%).
- School
Auburn: a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.3% of the time (4,181 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at 190 lbs: faster than 80% of WRs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.6% of the time (973 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
WR (WR group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 40.4% of the time (718 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numberslive
| Games | 106 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 6 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 32 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 32.0 |
| Rushing | 5 att, 3 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 296 rec, 4,435 yds, 22 TD |
| Defense | 4 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2025 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2019 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2019 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Slid 32+ picks past ESPN's rank | 53.2% n=654 | |
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 | |
| Position WR | 40.4% n=718 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 1", 190 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.39 s |
| Bench press | 11 reps |
| Vertical | 40.5" |
| Broad jump | 135" |
| 3-cone | 7 s |
| Shuttle | 4.15 s |
| Arm / hand | 32.75" / 9.88" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #112 overall (#16 WR) |
Picked around him 2019 redraft
| 168 | D'Andre Walker | redraft #233 |
| 169 | David Edwards | redraft #33 |
| 170 | Austin Seibert | redraft #147 |
| 172 | Jordan Miller | redraft #197 |
| 173 | Cole Holcomb | redraft #66 |
| 174 | KeeSean Johnson | redraft #161 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.