David Irons
DB, Auburn · 2007 NFL Draft, Round 6, pick #194 (ATL)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: age. Details below.
- Age
24 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 44.9% of the time (548 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #120 overall (#16 at his position), but he lasted until pick #194: teams let him slide 74 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.
- 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 4.44 40-yard dash at 190 lbs: faster than 69% of DBs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (2,288 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
DB (DB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.7% of the time (1,116 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 20 of ~32 possible regular-season games from 2007 through 2008 (~63%). Last NFL season: 2008.
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 bust for him.
Career numbers
| Games | 20 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 1 |
| Defense | 16 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2008 |
The 2007 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2007 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 24 or older | 44.9% n=548 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Slid 32+ picks past ESPN's rank | 53.2% n=654 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| Position DB | 50.7% n=1,116 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 5' 10", 190 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.44 s |
| Bench press | 11 reps |
| Vertical | 29.5" |
| Broad jump | 111" |
| 3-cone | 7.18 s |
| Shuttle | 4.3 s |
| Age at draft | 24 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #120 overall (#16 DB) |
Picked around him 2007 redraft
| 191 | Korey Hall | redraft #200 |
| 192 | Desmond Bishop | redraft #76 |
| 193 | Mason Crosby | redraft #44 |
| 195 | Deon Anderson | redraft #186 |
| 196 | Herbert Taylor | redraft #181 |
| 197 | Courtney Taylor | redraft #190 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.