Tamba Hali
DE, Penn St. · 2006 NFL Draft, Round 1, pick #20 (KAN)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, 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.
- Availability
Played 177 of ~192 possible regular-season games from 2006 through 2017 (~92%). Last NFL season: 2017.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #40 (#6 at his position), close to where he went (#20). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
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
Penn St.: 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 4.87 40-yard dash at 275 lbs: faster than 56% 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.
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 | 177 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 10 |
| Pro Bowls | 5 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 75 |
| Defense | 460 tackles, 89.5 sacks, 2 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2017 |
The 2006 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2006 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 | |
| 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 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' 3", 275 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.87 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #40 overall (#6 DE) |
Picked around him 2006 redraft
| 17 | Chad Greenway | redraft #14 |
| 18 | Bobby Carpenter | redraft #124 |
| 19 | Antonio Cromartie | redraft #16 |
| 21 | Laurence Maroney | redraft #79 |
| 22 | Manny Lawson | redraft #40 |
| 23 | Davin Joseph | redraft #47 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.