Lorenzo Taliaferro
RB, Coastal Carolina · 2014 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick #138 (BAL)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #236 (#19 at his position); he went #138, 98 spots earlier. Teams were higher on him than the media board was.
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.
- Availability
Played 19 of ~48 possible regular-season games from 2014 through 2016 (~40%). Last NFL season: 2016.
- 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.
- School
Coastal Carolina: not a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (1,426 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at 229 lbs: faster than 33% 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.
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 bust for him.
Career numbers
| Games | 19 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 3 |
| Rushing | 82 att, 339 yds, 5 TD |
| Receiving | 16 rec, 153 yds, undefined TD |
| Defense | 4 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2016 |
The 2014 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2014 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 Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| 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' 0", 229 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.58 s |
| Bench press | 18 reps |
| Vertical | 33" |
| Broad jump | 118" |
| 3-cone | 6.88 s |
| Shuttle | 4.22 s |
| Arm / hand | 32" / 8.3" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #236 overall (#19 RB) |
Picked around him 2014 redraft
| 135 | Tom Savage | redraft #167 |
| 136 | Larry Webster | redraft #226 |
| 137 | Dakota Dozier | redraft #107 |
| 139 | Prince Shembo | redraft #181 |
| 140 | Cameron Fleming | redraft #57 |
| 141 | Taylor Hart | redraft #194 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.