Eric Weddle
DB, Utah · 2007 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #37 (SDG)
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 #61 (#5 at his position), close to where he went (#37). 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.
- School
Utah: 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 203 lbs: faster than 52% 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 201 of ~241 possible regular-season games from 2007 through 2021 (~83%). Last NFL season: 2021.
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 | 201 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 12 |
| Pro Bowls | 6 |
| First-team All-Pro | 2 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 88 |
| Passing | undefined/1, 0 yds, undefined TD, undefined INT |
| Rushing | 5 att, 24 yds, undefined TD |
| Defense | 903 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 29 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2021 |
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 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 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' 11", 203 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.48 s |
| Bench press | 11 reps |
| Vertical | 33.5" |
| Broad jump | 113" |
| 3-cone | 6.78 s |
| Shuttle | 4.12 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #61 overall (#5 DB) |
Picked around him 2007 redraft
| 34 | Paul Posluszny | redraft #17 |
| 35 | Arron Sears | redraft #94 |
| 36 | Kevin Kolb | redraft #104 |
| 38 | Zach Miller | redraft #54 |
| 39 | Justin Blalock | redraft #19 |
| 40 | John Beck | redraft #155 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.