Ladell Betts
RB, Iowa · 2002 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #56 (WAS)
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
No ESPN pre-draft ranking on file for him.
- 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
Iowa: 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 4.62 40-yard dash at 220 lbs: faster than 21% of RBs 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
RB (RB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 46.1% of the time (501 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 111 of ~144 possible regular-season games from 2002 through 2010 (~77%). Last NFL season: 2010.
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 | 111 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 1 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 31 |
| Rushing | 821 att, 3,326 yds, 15 TD |
| Receiving | 188 rec, 1,646 yds, 3 TD |
| Defense | 9 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2010 |
The 2002 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2002 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 | |
| Position RB | 46.1% n=501 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 5' 10", 220 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.62 s |
| Bench press | 23 reps |
| Vertical | 38" |
| Broad jump | 116" |
| 3-cone | 7.06 s |
| Shuttle | 4.06 s |
| Age at draft | 23 |
Picked around him 2002 redraft
| 53 | Langston Walker | redraft #63 |
| 54 | Maurice Morris | redraft #67 |
| 55 | Doug Jolley | redraft #111 |
| 57 | Jon McGraw | redraft #91 |
| 58 | Michael Lewis | redraft #34 |
| 59 | Sheldon Brown | redraft #18 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.