Drew Brees
QB, Purdue · 2001 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #32 (SDG)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, availability. Details below.
- 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 287 of ~320 possible regular-season games from 2001 through 2020 (~90%). Last NFL season: 2020.
- Pre-draft rankings
No ESPN pre-draft ranking on file for him.
- School
Purdue: 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 4.83 40-yard dash at 213 lbs: faster than 44% of QBs 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
QB (QB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 35.6% of the time (270 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 numbers
| Games | 287 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 19 |
| Pro Bowls | 13 |
| First-team All-Pro | 1 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 167 |
| Passing | 7142/10551, 80,358 yds, 571 TD, 243 INT |
| Rushing | 498 att, 752 yds, 25 TD |
| Receiving | 8 rec, 74 yds, 1 TD |
| Last NFL season | 2020 |
The 2001 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2001 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| Position QB | 35.6% n=270 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 0", 213 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.83 s |
| Vertical | 32" |
| Broad jump | 105" |
| 3-cone | 7.09 s |
| Shuttle | 4.21 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
Picked around him 2001 redraft
| 29 | Ryan Pickett | redraft #26 |
| 30 | Reggie Wayne | redraft #3 |
| 31 | Todd Heap | redraft #37 |
| 33 | Quincy Morgan | redraft #77 |
| 34 | Kyle Vanden Bosch | redraft #27 |
| 35 | Alge Crumpler | redraft #39 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.