Ryan Denney
DE, BYU · 2002 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #61 (BUF)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
No ESPN pre-draft ranking on file for him.
- Age
25 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 44.9% of the time (548 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
BYU: 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 4.86 40-yard dash at 276 lbs: faster than 58% of DLs 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
DE (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 113 of ~144 possible regular-season games from 2002 through 2010 (~78%). Last NFL season: 2010.
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 | 113 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 2 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 23 |
| Receiving | 2 rec, 44 yds, 2 TD |
| Defense | 191 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2010 |
The 2002 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2002 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 24 or older | 44.9% n=548 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| 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' 7", 276 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.86 s |
| Bench press | 36 reps |
| Vertical | 33" |
| Broad jump | 107" |
| 3-cone | 7.18 s |
| Shuttle | 4.25 s |
| Age at draft | 25 |
Picked around him 2002 redraft
| 58 | Michael Lewis | redraft #34 |
| 59 | Sheldon Brown | redraft #18 |
| 60 | Anton Palepoi | redraft #154 |
| 62 | Antwaan Randle El | redraft #33 |
| 63 | Antonio Bryant | redraft #47 |
| 64 | Travis Fisher | redraft #69 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.