Nick Hayden
DT, Wisconsin · 2008 NFL Draft, Round 6, pick #181 (CAR)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age. 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.
- Pre-draft rankings
No ESPN pre-draft ranking on file for him.
- 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 5.14 40-yard dash at 291 lbs: faster than 14% of DLs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.2% of the time (1,232 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
DT (DL group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53% of the time (966 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 76 of ~128 possible regular-season games from 2008 through 2015 (~59%). Last NFL season: 2015.
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 | 76 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 4 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 25 |
| Defense | 114 tackles, 2 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2015 |
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
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 | |
| Position DL | 53.0% n=966 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 4", 291 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 5.14 s |
| Bench press | 34 reps |
| Vertical | 27" |
| Broad jump | 108" |
| 3-cone | 7.55 s |
| Shuttle | 4.54 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
Picked around him 2008 redraft
| 178 | Taylor Mehlhaff | redraft #217 |
| 179 | Xavier Omon | redraft #208 |
| 180 | Kareem Moore | redraft #134 |
| 182 | Kevin Robinson | redraft #205 |
| 183 | Spencer Larsen | redraft #148 |
| 184 | Mike Gibson | redraft #149 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.