George Kittle
TE, Iowa · 2017 NFL Draft, Round 5, pick #146 (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 #123 (#10 at his position), close to where he went (#146). 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
Iowa: 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 4.52 40-yard dash at 247 lbs: faster than 94% of TEs 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
TE (TE group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 37.1% of the time (321 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 123 of ~149 possible regular-season games from 2017 through 2025 (~83%). Plus 7 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 | 130 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 8 |
| Pro Bowls | 7 |
| First-team All-Pro | 2 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 60 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 2.4 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 62.4 |
| Rushing | 13 att, 68 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 621 rec, 8,345 yds, 57 TD |
| Defense | 3 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 2017 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2017 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 Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 | |
| Position TE | 37.1% n=321 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 4", 247 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.52 s |
| Bench press | 18 reps |
| Vertical | 35" |
| Broad jump | 132" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #123 overall (#10 TE) |
Picked around him 2017 redraft
| 143 | Marlon Mack | redraft #92 |
| 144 | Grover Stewart | redraft #31 |
| 145 | Jake Butt | redraft #198 |
| 147 | Jordan Morgan | redraft #239 |
| 148 | Blair Brown | redraft #174 |
| 149 | Damontae Kazee | redraft #82 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.