Jonathan Newsome
LB, Ball St. · 2014 NFL Draft, Round 5, pick #166 (IND)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: position, availability. Details below.
- Position
LB (LB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.8% of the time (701 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 30 of ~32 possible regular-season games from 2014 through 2015 (~94%). Last NFL season: 2015.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #219 (#19 at his position); he went #166, 53 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
Ball St.: 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 4.73 40-yard dash at 247 lbs: faster than 26% of LBs 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.
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 | 30 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 4 |
| Defense | 31 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2015 |
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
| Position LB | 56.8% n=701 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 247 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.73 s |
| Bench press | 21 reps |
| Vertical | 34" |
| Broad jump | 117" |
| 3-cone | 7.31 s |
| Shuttle | 4.63 s |
| Arm / hand | 33.2" / 9.5" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #219 overall (#19 LB) |
Picked around him 2014 redraft
| 163 | Aaron Murray | redraft #233 |
| 164 | A.J. McCarron | redraft #160 |
| 165 | Ryan Carrethers | redraft #165 |
| 167 | Vinnie Sunseri | redraft #207 |
| 168 | Marquis Spruill | redraft #234 |
| 169 | Ronald Powell | redraft #195 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.