Eddie Royal
WR, Virginia Tech · 2008 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #42 (DEN)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age. 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.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #69 (#8 at his position), close to where he went (#42).
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.
- School
Virginia Tech: 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 184 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.
- Availability
Played 116 of ~144 possible regular-season games from 2008 through 2016 (~81%). Last NFL season: 2016.
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 | 116 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 6 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 35 |
| Passing | undefined/1, 0 yds, undefined TD, undefined INT |
| Rushing | 35 att, 275 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 408 rec, 4,357 yds, 28 TD |
| Defense | 3 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2016 |
The 2008 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2008 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 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| 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 | 5' 10", 184 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.39 s |
| Bench press | 24 reps |
| Vertical | 36" |
| Broad jump | 124" |
| 3-cone | 7.07 s |
| Shuttle | 4.34 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #69 overall (#8 WR) |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 39 | Chilo Rachal | redraft #83 |
| 40 | Tracy Porter | redraft #48 |
| 41 | James Hardy | redraft #181 |
| 43 | Tyrell Johnson | redraft #115 |
| 44 | Matt Forte | redraft #5 |
| 45 | Jordon Dizon | redraft #169 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.