Leon Jacobs
OLB, Wisconsin · 2018 NFL Draft, Round 7, pick #230 (JAX)
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 #183 overall (#15 at his position), but he lasted until pick #230: teams let him slide 47 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
OLB (LB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.8% of the time (701 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Wisconsin: 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 4.48 40-yard dash at 246 lbs: faster than 95% of LBs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.6% of the time (973 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 29 of ~48 possible regular-season games from 2018 through 2020 (~60%). Last NFL season: 2020.
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 | 29 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 1 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 7 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 7.0 |
| Defense | 50 tackles, 2 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2020 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2018 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2018 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 LB | 56.8% n=701 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 246 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.48 s |
| Bench press | 26 reps |
| Vertical | 34.5" |
| Broad jump | 122" |
| 3-cone | 7.14 s |
| Shuttle | 4.44 s |
| Arm / hand | 33.5" / 9.5" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #183 overall (#15 OLB) |
Picked around him 2018 redraft
| 227 | Quentin Poling | redraft #240 |
| 228 | Marcell Ateman | redraft #203 |
| 229 | Jason Sanders | redraft #79 |
| 231 | Travin Howard | redraft #191 |
| 232 | James Looney | redraft #235 |
| 233 | Jordan Mailata | redraft #30 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.