James White
RB, Wisconsin · 2014 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick #130 (NWE)
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 #263 (#21 at his position); he went #130, 133 spots earlier. So teams were actually higher on him than the media board was; everyone underrated him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (896 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Wisconsin: 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 4.57 40-yard dash at 204 lbs: faster than 37% of RBs 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
RB (RB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 46.1% of the time (501 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 95 of ~129 possible regular-season games from 2014 through 2021 (~74%). 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 | 95 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 37 |
| Passing | 1/1, 35 yds, undefined TD, undefined INT |
| Rushing | 319 att, 1,278 yds, 11 TD |
| Receiving | 381 rec, 3,278 yds, 25 TD |
| Last NFL season | 2021 |
The 2014 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2014 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 Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| Position RB | 46.1% n=501 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 5' 9", 204 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.57 s |
| Bench press | 23 reps |
| Vertical | 32" |
| Broad jump | 114" |
| 3-cone | 7.05 s |
| Shuttle | 4.2 s |
| Arm / hand | 29.2" / 8.2" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #263 overall (#21 RB) |
Picked around him 2014 redraft
| 127 | Pierre Desir | redraft #86 |
| 128 | Tre Boston | redraft #60 |
| 129 | Dontae Johnson | redraft #92 |
| 131 | Brock Vereen | redraft #180 |
| 132 | Kevin Pierre-Louis | redraft #94 |
| 133 | Nevin Lawson | redraft #76 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.