Sidney Rice
WR, South Carolina · 2007 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #44 (MIN)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age. Details below.
- 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.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #47 (#8 at his position), close to where he went (#44).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.6% of the time (2,104 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
South Carolina: 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 4.51 40-yard dash at 200 lbs: faster than 33% of WRs 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
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.
- Availability
Played 81 of ~112 possible regular-season games from 2007 through 2013 (~72%). Last NFL season: 2013.
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 | 81 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 3 |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 33 |
| Passing | 4/7, 174 yds, undefined TD, undefined INT |
| Rushing | 4 att, 9 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 243 rec, 3,592 yds, 30 TD |
| Last NFL season | 2013 |
The 2007 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2007 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 21 or younger | 56.6% n=663 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| Position WR | 40.4% n=718 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 200 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.51 s |
| Vertical | 39.5" |
| Broad jump | 119" |
| 3-cone | 7.09 s |
| Shuttle | 4.34 s |
| Age at draft | 21 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #47 overall (#8 WR) |
Picked around him 2007 redraft
| 41 | Chris Houston | redraft #52 |
| 42 | Tony Ugoh | redraft #79 |
| 43 | Drew Stanton | redraft #118 |
| 45 | Dwayne Jarrett | redraft #149 |
| 46 | LaMarr Woodley | redraft #22 |
| 47 | David Harris | redraft #9 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.