K.J. Britt
LB, Auburn · 2021 NFL Draft, Round 5, pick #176 (TAM)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings, age, position, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #131 overall (#11 at his position), but he lasted until pick #176: teams let him slide 45 spots past that ranking.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (654 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- 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.
- 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 76 of ~85 possible regular-season games from 2021 through 2025 (~89%). Plus 1 game so far in 2026.
- School
Auburn: 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 4.76 40-yard dash at 235 lbs: faster than 18% of LBs 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.
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 | 77 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 1 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 10 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 10.0 |
| Defense | 81 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2021 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2021 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 Slid 32+ picks past ESPN's rank | 53.2% n=654 | |
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| Position LB | 56.8% n=701 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 0", 235 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.76 s |
| Bench press | 24 reps |
| Vertical | 32.5" |
| Broad jump | 118" |
| 3-cone | 7.38 s |
| Shuttle | 4.4 s |
| Arm / hand | 32.63" / 9.75" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #131 overall (#11 LB) |
Picked around him 2021 redraft
| 173 | Tedarrell Slaton | redraft #50 |
| 174 | Earnest Brown IV | redraft #201 |
| 175 | Jason Pinnock | redraft #74 |
| 177 | Cameron McGrone | redraft #188 |
| 178 | Shemar Jean-Charles | redraft #185 |
| 179 | Simi Fehoko | redraft #193 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.