NaVorro Bowman
LB, Penn St. · 2010 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #91 (SFO)
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 #54 overall (#6 at his position), but he lasted until pick #91: teams let him slide 37 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
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.
- School
Penn St.: 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 4.70 40-yard dash at 242 lbs: faster than 34% 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.
- Availability
Played 99 of ~128 possible regular-season games from 2010 through 2017 (~77%). Last NFL season: 2017.
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 | 99 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 5 |
| Pro Bowls | 3 |
| First-team All-Pro | 4 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 71 |
| Defense | 585 tackles, 14 sacks, 5 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2017 |
The 2010 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2010 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 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' 0", 242 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.70 s |
| Bench press | 26 reps |
| Vertical | 29.5" |
| Broad jump | 115" |
| 3-cone | 6.91 s |
| Shuttle | 4.59 s |
| Arm / hand | 33" / 9.8" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #54 overall (#6 LB) |
Picked around him 2010 redraft
| 88 | Andre Roberts | redraft #71 |
| 89 | Armanti Edwards | redraft #186 |
| 90 | Taylor Price | redraft #202 |
| 92 | Shawn Lauvao | redraft #44 |
| 93 | Tony Moeaki | redraft #118 |
| 94 | Kevin Thomas | redraft #178 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.