Markus Steele
LB, USC · 2001 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick #122 (DAL)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, position, 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.
- Position
LB (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.
- Availability
Played 42 of ~48 possible regular-season games from 2001 through 2003 (~88%). Last NFL season: 2003.
- Pre-draft rankings
No ESPN pre-draft ranking on file for him.
- School
USC: 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 4.62 40-yard dash at 232 lbs: faster than 62% of LBs 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.
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 | 42 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 1 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 8 |
| Defense | 73 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2003 |
The 2001 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2001 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 | |
| Position LB | 56.8% n=701 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 232 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.62 s |
| Vertical | 33" |
| Broad jump | 119" |
| 3-cone | 7.15 s |
| Shuttle | 4.5 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
Picked around him 2001 redraft
| 119 | Jabari Holloway | redraft #192 |
| 120 | Nick Harris | redraft #84 |
| 121 | Correll Buckhalter | redraft #69 |
| 123 | Marcus Bell | redraft #90 |
| 124 | Justin McCareins | redraft #55 |
| 125 | Jesse Palmer | redraft #189 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.