Le'Veon Bell
RB, Michigan St. · 2013 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #48 (PIT)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age. Details below.
- Age
21 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.6% of the time (663 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #89 (#5 at his position); he went #48, 41 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
Michigan St.: 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 4.60 40-yard dash at 230 lbs: faster than 27% of RBs 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
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 96 of ~145 possible regular-season games from 2013 through 2021 (~66%). Last NFL season: 2021.
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 | 96 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 5 |
| Pro Bowls | 3 |
| First-team All-Pro | 2 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 61 |
| Passing | undefined/1, 0 yds, undefined TD, undefined INT |
| Rushing | 1595 att, 6,554 yds, 42 TD |
| Receiving | 399 rec, 3,289 yds, 9 TD |
| Last NFL season | 2021 |
The 2013 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2013 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 21 or younger | 56.6% n=663 | |
| 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 Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| 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' 1", 230 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.60 s |
| Bench press | 24 reps |
| Vertical | 31.5" |
| Broad jump | 118" |
| 3-cone | 6.75 s |
| Shuttle | 4.24 s |
| Arm / hand | 31.4" / 9.5" |
| Age at draft | 21 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #89 overall (#5 RB) |
Picked around him 2013 redraft
| 45 | Kevin Minter | redraft #57 |
| 46 | Kiko Alonso | redraft #48 |
| 47 | Gavin Escobar | redraft #178 |
| 49 | Johnathan Hankins | redraft #22 |
| 50 | Jonathan Bostic | redraft #42 |
| 51 | David Amerson | redraft #78 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.