Matthew Slater
WR, UCLA · 2008 NFL Draft, Round 5, pick #153 (NWE)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: position. Details below.
- Position
WR (WR group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 40.4% of the time (718 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Pre-draft rankings
No ESPN pre-draft ranking on file for him.
- 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
UCLA: 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.
- Combine
No NFL Combine invite on record (nflverse combine data), so teams had less verified testing on him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 49% of the time (905 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 239 of ~259 possible regular-season games from 2008 through 2023 (~92%). Last NFL season: 2023.
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 | 239 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 10 |
| First-team All-Pro | 2 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 0 |
| Rushing | 2 att, 11 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 1 rec, 46 yds, undefined TD |
| Defense | 138 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2023 |
The 2008 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2008 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Position WR | 40.4% n=718 | |
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Combine No Combine invite | 49.0% n=905 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Age at draft | 22 |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 150 | Breno Giacomini | redraft #35 |
| 151 | Frank Okam | redraft #167 |
| 152 | Letroy Guion | redraft #57 |
| 154 | Kroy Biermann | redraft #72 |
| 155 | Thomas Williams | redraft #194 |
| 156 | Dennis Dixon | redraft #175 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.