T.J. Yeldon
RB, Alabama · 2015 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #36 (JAX)
Why he went too high Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a risk: his profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #64 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#36).
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.
- 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
Alabama: 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 4.61 40-yard dash at 226 lbs: faster than 25% of RBs 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
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 60 of ~96 possible regular-season games from 2015 through 2020 (~63%). Last NFL season: 2020.
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 bust for him.
Career numbers
| Games | 60 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 2 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 20 |
| Rushing | 492 att, 2,005 yds, 6 TD |
| Receiving | 185 rec, 1,448 yds, 7 TD |
| Last NFL season | 2020 |
The 2015 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2015 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 Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| Age 21 or younger | 56.6% n=663 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| 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 | 6' 1", 226 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.61 s |
| Bench press | 22 reps |
| Vertical | 36" |
| Broad jump | 117" |
| 3-cone | 7.19 s |
| Shuttle | 4.22 s |
| Age at draft | 21 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #64 overall (#4 RB) |
Picked around him 2015 redraft
| 33 | Landon Collins | redraft #35 |
| 34 | Donovan Smith | redraft #13 |
| 35 | Mario Edwards | redraft #67 |
| 37 | Devin Smith | redraft #183 |
| 38 | Preston Smith | redraft #15 |
| 39 | Eddie Goldman | redraft #43 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.