Zaire Franklin
LB, Syracuse · 2018 NFL Draft, Round 7, pick #235 (IND)
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 132 of ~133 possible regular-season games from 2018 through 2025 (~99%). Plus 6 games so far in 2026.
- Pre-draft rankings
No ESPN pre-draft ranking on file for him.
- 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.
- Combine
No NFL Combine invite on record (nflverse combine data), so teams had less verified testing on him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 49% of the time (905 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 | 138 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 5 |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 40 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 2.7 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 42.7 |
| Defense | 435 tackles, 10 sacks, 3 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2018 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2018 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 Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Combine No Combine invite | 49.0% n=905 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 0", 239 lbs |
| Arm / hand | 32.88" / 9.5" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
Picked around him 2018 redraft
| 232 | James Looney | redraft #235 |
| 233 | Jordan Mailata | redraft #30 |
| 234 | Andre Smith | redraft #170 |
| 236 | Bo Scarbrough | redraft #207 |
| 237 | Nick Bawden | redraft #226 |
| 238 | Zach Sieler | redraft #36 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.