Yannick Ngakoue
DE, Maryland · 2016 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #69 (JAX)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, availability. 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.
- Availability
Played 134 of ~148 possible regular-season games from 2016 through 2024 (~91%). Last NFL season: 2024.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #159 (#15 at his position); he went #69, 90 spots earlier. So teams were actually higher on him than the media board was; everyone underrated him.
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.
- School
Maryland: 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 4.75 40-yard dash at 252 lbs: faster than 76% of DLs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.6% of the time (973 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 numberslive
| Games | 134 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 8 |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 50 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 50.0 |
| Defense | 181 tackles, 70.5 sacks, 2 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2024 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2016 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2016 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 Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 | |
| 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' 2", 252 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.75 s |
| Bench press | 26 reps |
| Vertical | 34.5" |
| Broad jump | 118" |
| 3-cone | 7.35 s |
| Shuttle | 4.5 s |
| Age at draft | 21 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #159 overall (#15 DE) |
Picked around him 2016 redraft
| 66 | Max Tuerk | redraft #230 |
| 67 | Maliek Collins | redraft #25 |
| 68 | Will Redmond | redraft #178 |
| 70 | Bronson Kaufusi | redraft #195 |
| 71 | Darian Thompson | redraft #115 |
| 72 | Jonathan Bullard | redraft #65 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.