Tony Fiammetta
RB, Syracuse · 2009 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick #128 (CAR)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #167 (#1 at his position); he went #128, 39 spots earlier. Teams were higher on him than the media board was.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (896 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 51 of ~96 possible regular-season games from 2009 through 2014 (~53%). Last NFL season: 2014.
- Age
23 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (2,127 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Syracuse: 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 4.58 40-yard dash at 245 lbs: faster than 33% 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.
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 | 51 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 2 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 1 |
| Rushing | 11 att, 26 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 12 rec, 130 yds, undefined TD |
| Defense | 4 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2014 |
The 2009 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2009 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 Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| 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' 0", 245 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.58 s |
| Bench press | 30 reps |
| Vertical | 34" |
| Broad jump | 112" |
| 3-cone | 7.31 s |
| Shuttle | 4.49 s |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #167 overall (#1 RB) |
Picked around him 2009 redraft
| 125 | Lawrence Sidbury | redraft #134 |
| 126 | Slade Norris | redraft #212 |
| 127 | Austin Collie | redraft #87 |
| 129 | Andre Brown | redraft #126 |
| 130 | Gerald McRath | redraft #125 |
| 131 | Greg Toler | redraft #79 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.