Khalen Saunders
DT, Western Illinois · 2019 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #84 (KAN)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #83 (#8 at his position), close to where he went (#84).
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
Western 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 5.01 40-yard dash at 324 lbs: faster than 33% of DLs 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
DT (DL group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53% of the time (966 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 77 of ~117 possible regular-season games from 2019 through 2025 (~66%).
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) | 17 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 17.0 |
| Defense | 87 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2025 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2019 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2019 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 Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| Position DL | 53.0% n=966 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 0", 324 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 5.01 s |
| Bench press | 27 reps |
| Vertical | 30.5" |
| Broad jump | 101" |
| 3-cone | 7.57 s |
| Shuttle | 4.62 s |
| Arm / hand | 32.25" / 9.13" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #83 overall (#8 DT) |
Picked around him 2019 redraft
| 81 | Will Harris | redraft #91 |
| 82 | Nate Davis | redraft #63 |
| 83 | Justin Layne | redraft #172 |
| 85 | Jaylon Ferguson | redraft #130 |
| 86 | Kahale Warring | redraft #217 |
| 87 | Damien Harris | redraft #96 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.