Lee Ziemba
T, Auburn · 2011 NFL Draft, Round 7, pick #244 (CAR)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings, age, position. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #104 overall (#9 at his position), but he lasted until pick #244: teams let him slide 140 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
T (OL group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 59.3% of the time (919 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- 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 5.50 40-yard dash at 317 lbs: faster than 4% of OLs 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.
- Availability
Played 6 of ~16 possible regular-season games from 2011 through 2011 (~38%). Last NFL season: 2011.
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 | 6 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 1 |
| Last NFL season | 2011 |
The 2011 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2011 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 OL | 59.3% n=919 | |
| 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' 6", 317 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 5.50 s |
| Bench press | 20 reps |
| Vertical | 29" |
| Broad jump | 95" |
| 3-cone | 7.74 s |
| Shuttle | 4.65 s |
| Arm / hand | 34" / 9.5" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #104 overall (#9 T) |
Picked around him 2011 redraft
| 241 | David Ausberry | redraft #186 |
| 242 | Malcolm Smith | redraft #50 |
| 243 | Nate Bussey | redraft #250 |
| 245 | Michael Jasper | redraft #251 |
| 246 | Jay Finley | redraft #252 |
| 247 | Jeremy Beal | redraft #253 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.