Joe Thuney
G, North Carolina St. · 2016 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #78 (NWE)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: position, availability. Details below.
- Position
G (OL group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 59.3% of the time (919 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 162 of ~165 possible regular-season games from 2016 through 2025 (~98%). Plus 7 games so far in 2026.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #167 (#10 at his position); he went #78, 89 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.
- 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
North Carolina St.: 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 4.95 40-yard dash at 304 lbs: faster than 94% of OLs 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.
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 | 169 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 10 |
| Pro Bowls | 4 |
| First-team All-Pro | 3 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 84 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 3.2 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 87.2 |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2016 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2016 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Position OL | 59.3% n=919 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| 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 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 5", 304 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.95 s |
| Bench press | 28 reps |
| Vertical | 28.5" |
| Broad jump | 110" |
| 3-cone | 7.47 s |
| Shuttle | 4.54 s |
| Arm / hand | 31.88" / 9.13" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #167 overall (#10 G) |
Picked around him 2016 redraft
| 75 | Shilique Calhoun | redraft #160 |
| 76 | Shon Coleman | redraft #144 |
| 77 | Daryl Worley | redraft #82 |
| 79 | Isaac Seumalo | redraft #41 |
| 80 | Adolphus Washington | redraft #125 |
| 81 | Austin Hooper | redraft #52 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.