Jimmie Ward
DB, Northern Illinois · 2014 NFL Draft, Round 1, pick #30 (SFO)
Pre-draft profile Patterns
He landed exactly where a #30 pick typically does.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #46 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#30).
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
Northern Illinois: not a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (1,426 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at 193 lbs: faster than 13% of DBs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.2% of the time (1,232 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 126 of ~180 possible regular-season games from 2014 through 2024 (~70%). Last NFL season: 2024.
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 | 126 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 6 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 31 |
| Defense | 406 tackles, 3 sacks, 10 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2024 |
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
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 | |
| 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", 193 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.59 s |
| Bench press | 9 reps |
| Arm / hand | 31" / 9.3" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #46 overall (#4 DB) |
Picked around him 2014 redraft
| 27 | Deone Bucannon | redraft #50 |
| 28 | Kelvin Benjamin | redraft #75 |
| 29 | Dominique Easley | redraft #134 |
| 31 | Bradley Roby | redraft #64 |
| 32 | Teddy Bridgewater | redraft #23 |
| 33 | Xavier Su'a-Filo | redraft #69 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.