Le'Ron McClain
RB, Alabama · 2007 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick #137 (BAL)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, availability. Details below.
- 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.
- Availability
Played 111 of ~112 possible regular-season games from 2007 through 2013 (~99%). Last NFL season: 2013.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #205 (#2 at his position); he went #137, 68 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.
- School
Alabama: 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 4.75 40-yard dash at 256 lbs: faster than 6% 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.
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 | 6 |
| Pro Bowls | 2 |
| First-team All-Pro | 1 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 13 |
| Rushing | 354 att, 1,310 yds, 13 TD |
| Receiving | 94 rec, 557 yds, 3 TD |
| Defense | 5 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2013 |
The 2007 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2007 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| 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 | 6' 0", 256 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.75 s |
| Bench press | 14 reps |
| Vertical | 29.5" |
| Broad jump | 113" |
| 3-cone | 7.14 s |
| Shuttle | 4.47 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #205 overall (#2 RB) |
Picked around him 2007 redraft
| 134 | Antwan Barnes | redraft #137 |
| 135 | Joe Cohen | redraft #210 |
| 136 | Clint Session | redraft #71 |
| 138 | Jay Richardson | redraft #101 |
| 139 | Dustin Fry | redraft #218 |
| 140 | Brandon McDonald | redraft #89 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.