Deebo Samuel
WR, South Carolina · 2019 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #36 (SFO)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #39 (#3 at his position), close to where he went (#36). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.6% of the time (2,104 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
23 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (2,127 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
South Carolina: 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 4.48 40-yard dash at 214 lbs: faster than 44% of WRs 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
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.
- Availability
Played 97 of ~117 possible regular-season games from 2019 through 2025 (~83%). Plus 5 games so far in 2026.
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 | 102 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 6 |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| First-team All-Pro | 1 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 52 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 1.3 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 53.3 |
| Passing | 1/3, 24 yds, 1 TD, undefined INT |
| Rushing | 228 att, 1,296 yds, 21 TD |
| Receiving | 422 rec, 5,725 yds, 30 TD |
| Defense | 2 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
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 Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| 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 | 5' 11", 214 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.48 s |
| Bench press | 15 reps |
| Vertical | 39" |
| Broad jump | 122" |
| 3-cone | 7.03 s |
| Shuttle | 4.14 s |
| Arm / hand | 32" / 10.13" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #39 overall (#3 WR) |
Picked around him 2019 redraft
| 33 | Byron Murphy | redraft #28 |
| 34 | Rock Ya-Sin | redraft #88 |
| 35 | Jawaan Taylor | redraft #24 |
| 37 | Greg Little | redraft #132 |
| 38 | Cody Ford | redraft #76 |
| 39 | Sean Murphy-Bunting | redraft #71 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.