Samaje Perine
RB, Oklahoma · 2017 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick #114 (WAS)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings, age. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #71 overall (#6 at his position), but he lasted until pick #114: teams let him slide 43 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
21 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.6% of the time (663 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Oklahoma: 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 4.65 40-yard dash at 233 lbs: faster than 14% of RBs 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
RB (RB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 46.1% of the time (501 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 124 of ~149 possible regular-season games from 2017 through 2025 (~83%). Plus 6 games so far in 2026.
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 numberslive
| Games | 130 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 1 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 26 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 1.1 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 27.1 |
| Rushing | 585 att, 2,414 yds, 12 TD |
| Receiving | 203 rec, 1,661 yds, 8 TD |
| Defense | 18 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2017 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2017 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 21 or younger | 56.6% n=663 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 | |
| Position RB | 46.1% n=501 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 5' 11", 233 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.65 s |
| Bench press | 30 reps |
| Vertical | 33" |
| Broad jump | 116" |
| 3-cone | 7.26 s |
| Shuttle | 4.37 s |
| Age at draft | 21 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #71 overall (#6 RB) |
Picked around him 2017 redraft
| 111 | Tedric Thompson | redraft #129 |
| 112 | Eddie Jackson | redraft #30 |
| 113 | Rayshawn Jenkins | redraft #48 |
| 115 | Dorian Johnson | redraft #234 |
| 116 | Carl Lawson | redraft #93 |
| 117 | Josh Reynolds | redraft #74 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.