Tahir Whitehead
LB, Temple · 2012 NFL Draft, Round 5, pick #138 (DET)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, position, availability. 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.
- Position
LB (LB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.8% of the time (701 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 142 of ~161 possible regular-season games from 2012 through 2021 (~88%). Last NFL season: 2021.
- Pre-draft rankings
No ESPN pre-draft ranking on file for him.
- School
Temple: 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 4.62 40-yard dash at 233 lbs: faster than 62% of LBs 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.
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 | 142 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 7 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 41 |
| Defense | 490 tackles, 3 sacks, 6 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2021 |
The 2012 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2012 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 | |
| Position LB | 56.8% n=701 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 1", 233 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.62 s |
| Bench press | 21 reps |
| Vertical | 37" |
| Broad jump | 124" |
| 3-cone | 7.14 s |
| Shuttle | 4.37 s |
| Arm / hand | 32.3" / 10.2" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
Picked around him 2012 redraft
| 135 | Matt Johnson | redraft #234 |
| 136 | Josh Chapman | redraft #135 |
| 137 | Malik Jackson | redraft #38 |
| 139 | Robert Blanton | redraft #123 |
| 140 | Najee Goode | redraft #122 |
| 141 | Adam Gettis | redraft #191 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.