On3's guide to top NFL Draft picks as recruits

Studying the backgrounds and development of early round NFL Draft picks is key to On3’s methodology for ranking high school football prospects.

Early round picks comprise a large swath of the sports’ best and most talented players in both college and the NFL. Along with high school recruiting rankings, the NFL Draft is the other point in a player’s career where they are quantitatively sorted among their cohort.

Using the NFL Draft as a gauge for accuracy in ranking high school prospects requires annual study of up-to-date positional, geographical and developmental trends among highly-drafted players. As a result, On3 closely inspects the high school backgrounds and developmental arcs of top NFL Draft picks every year.

This study informs positional critical factors that are used in On3’s prospect evaluation process. Positional rankings are the starting point of the rankings process for On3. This is due to the apples-to-apples nature of first comparing prospects within the same position group.

Aside from quarterback (focused on first-rounders) we primarily study prospects that are taken in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.

The statistics and other data used primarily comes from the senior year of high school. If a prospect missed the majority of the senior season, we default to junior year statistics. We also err on the conservative side when tallying multi-sport and multi-positional participation. Those figures are likely even higher than represented.

With that said, here are updated data and findings to show what top draft picks at each position looked like as high school prospects.

Quarterback

The sample: The last 26 first-round quarterbacks (2015-2022)

Average size: 6-foot-3.2, 196.2 pounds, 9.6-inch hand

Height thresholds: 3/26 under 6-foot-1, 6/26 over 6-foot-4, 0/26 over 6-foot-6

Weight thresholds: 0/26 over 225 pounds, 0/26 under 175 pounds

Hand thresholds: 1/26 under 9 inches (Kenny Pickett), 7/26 10 inches or larger

Average statistics (out of 23): 2,893 passing yards, 34.3 passing TD, 5.1 INT, 650+ rushing yards, 10.5 rushing TD
3.6 total TD per game, 0.37 INT per game

Statistical thresholds:

• 2/23 yards per attempt under 9.0
• 15/23 yards per attempt over 10.0
• 1/23 under 200 rushing yards
• 11/23 rushed for double-digit TD (including 3 of last 6)

Multi-sport:

• 21/26 played multiple sports
• 12/26 played basketball, 9 played baseball, 2 ran track, 1 played tennis

Average athletic testing (out of 13): 4.84 second 40-yard dash, 4.32 second shuttle, 32-inch vertical

Geographic dispersion: California (4), Florida (3), Georgia (3), Texas (3), Hawaii (2), Ohio (2)

Additional notes: 7/26 were early enrollees (6 of last 9), 5/26 played defense (all were picked in the top ten).

Running Back

The sample: The last 48 running backs drafted rounds 1-3 (2016-2022)

Average size: 5-foot-10.9, 203.7 pounds

Height thresholds: 2/48 under 5-foot-9, 4/48 over 6-foot-1

Weight thresholds: 2/48 over 230 pounds (Derrick Henry, AJ Dillon), 0/48 under 180 pounds

Average statistics (out of 47): 1,959 rushing yards, 27.3 rushing TD, 10.32 yards per carry

Statistical thresholds: 2/48 yards per carry were under 7.5, 1/48 under 10 rushing TD (injured)

Average 100 meter time (out of 31): 10.99 seconds (19/31 under 11.0 seconds, 3/31 over 11.3 seconds)

Average athletic testing (out of 28): 4.55 second 40-yard dash, 4.22 second shuttle, 35.4 inch vertical

Geographic dispersion: Florida (7), California (5), Georgia (5), Louisiana (5), Pennsylvania (4), Ohio (3), Texas (3)

Additional notes: 44/48 played running back, 3 of those 4 played quarterback and all ran for over 2,000 yards.

Wide Receiver

The sample: The last 70 wide receivers drafted rounds 1-3 (2018-2022)

Average size: 6-foot-0.6, 185.3 pounds, 32-inch arm

Height thresholds: 6/70 under 5-foot-10, 2/70 over 6-foot-4 (Nico Collins, Chase Claypool)

Weight thresholds: 2/70 over 220 pounds (Treylon Jalen Hurd), 8/70 over 210 pounds, 4/70 under 160 pounds (DeVonta Smith, Tutu Atwell, KJ Hamler, Hollywood Brown)

Length thresholds: 15/70 have a 33+ inch arm, 4/70 have a sub-30-inch arm (Wan’Dale Robinson, Rondale Moore, Tutu Atwell, Andy Isabella)

Average statistics (out of 57): 55 receptions, 1,037 yards (18.8 yards per catch), 14.1 TD

Statistical thresholds:

• 10/63 who played receiver had under 9 receiving touchdowns
• 26/63 had 15+ receiving touchdowns
• 5/63 had a yards per catch under 15
• 0/63 had a yards per catch under 13.5
• 19/63 had a yards per catch over 20.

Average athletic testing: 4.57 second 40-yard dash (out of 36), 4.29 second shuttle (out of 41), 34.9 vertical (out of 43)

Average 100 meter time (out of 32): 10.86 seconds (9/32 under 10.6 seconds, 3/32 over 11.2 seconds)

Multi-sport: 54/70 played multiple sports. Track (42/70) and basketball (25/70) are the most common.

Geographic dispersion: Florida (11), Texas (10), Alabama (6), Louisiana (5), Tennessee (5), California (4), Georgia (3), Indiana (3), Pennsylvania (3), South Carolina (3)

Additional notes:

• 63/70 played wide receiver – 3 played quarterback, 4 played running back (averaged 1,865 rushing yards).
• The last 10 first-round receivers who played receiver in high school all had 10+ receiving touchdowns.
• The last 11 first-round receivers were all multi-sport athletes.
• 8/10 who are under 5-foot-11 had a 100 meter time of 11.11 seconds or better.

Tight End

The sample: The last 36 tight ends drafted rounds 1-3 (2017-2022)

Average size: 6-foot-4.5, 224.1 pounds, 33.1-inch arm, 9.8-inch hand

Height thresholds: 1/36 under 6-foot-3, 10/36 under 6-foot-4, 7/36 over 6-foot-5

Weight thresholds: 1/36 over 250 pounds (Devin Asiasi), 5/36 under 210 pounds (2 who signed with FBS out of high school)

Frame thresholds:

• 20/36 have a 33+ inch arm
• 3/36 have a sub-32-inch arm (Tommy Tremble, Josiah Deguara, Irv Smith Jr.)
• 13/36 have a 10+ inch hand
• 2/36 have a hand 9 inches or smaller (Josiah Deguara, Gerald Everett)

Average statistics (out of 27): 44 receptions, 730.9 yards (16.6 yards per catch), 8.7 receiving TD

Other positions: 33/36 played a position in addition to or instead of tight end. 18/36 played both ways. 17/36 played wide receiver, 5/36 played quarterback.

Average athletic testing (out of 17): 4.82 second 40-yard dash (high of 5.08), 4.43 second shuttle, 31.2 vertical

Multi-sport: 30/36 played multiple sports with basketball (20/36) the most common.

Geographic dispersion: California (6), Georgia (5), Florida (3), Ohio (3), Colorado (2), New Jersey (2)

Additional notes: 8/36 did not sign with a FBS program out of high school (Greg Dulcich, Adam Trautman, Kahale Warring, Dawson Knox, Hayden Hurst, Dallas Goedert, Gerald Everett, Adam Shaheen).

Offensive Tackle

The sample: The last 40 offensive tackles drafted rounds 1-3 (2019-2022)

Average size: 6-foot-5.5, 289 pounds, 34.1-inch arm, 10-inch hand

Height thresholds: 2/40 under 6-foot-4 (Ikem Ekwonu, Rashawn Slater), 10/40 over 6-foot-6

Weight thresholds: 6/40 over 320 pounds, 14/40 over 300 pounds, 6/40 under 260 pounds (4 who signed with FBS programs)

Frame thresholds:

• 36/40 have a 33+ inch arm
• 23/40 have a 34+ inch arm
• 29/40 have a 10+ inch hand

Average athletic testing (out of 16): 4.83 second shuttle (3/16 over 5.0 seconds)

Other positions: 21/40 saw time on defense. 12 of the last 16 first-rounders saw time on offense and defense in their prep careers.

Multi-sport:

• At least 26/40 played multiple sports.
• Of the 13 who threw the shot put as upperclassmen, the average personal best was 51.25 feet.
• 16 played basketball, 5 wrestled

Geographic dispersion: Texas (7), Florida (5), Washington (4), Iowa (3), Georgia (2), Minnesota (2), Utah (2)

Additional notes:

• 1/20 first-rounder with a sub-33-inch arm (Kaleb McGary)
• 8/8 offensive tackles drafted rounds 1-3 in 2022 had a 10+ inch hand.
• 5/40 did not sign with a FBS school out of high school: Trevor Penning, Dillon Radunz, Spencer Brown, Tytus Howard, Trey Pipkins.

Interior Offensive Line

The sample: The last 40 interior offensive linemen drafted rounds 1-3 (2019-2022)

Average size: 6-foot-4.1, 289 pounds, 33.2-inch arm, 10.1-inch hand

Height thresholds: 36/40 over 6-foot-3, 4/40 over 6-foot-5

Weight thresholds: 18/40 over 300 pounds, 0/40 over 330 pounds, 6/40 under 260 pounds

Frame thresholds:

• 28/40 have a 33+ inch arm
• 3/40 have a sub 32-inch arm
• 27/40 have a 10+ inch hand
• 0/40 have a sub-9.5-inch hand

Average athletic testing (out of 18): 4.88 second shuttle (3/18 over 5.0 seconds)

Other positions: 22/40 played both ways, with most playing offensive and defensive line.

Multi-sport:

• At least 30/40 played multiple sports.
• Of the 17 who threw the shot put as upperclassmen, the average personal best was 50.2 feet.
• 15 played basketball, 5 played baseball, 4 wrestled

Geographic dispersion: California (4), Ohio (4), Texas (4), Wisconsin (4), Georgia (3), Mississippi (3), Pennsylvania (3)

Additional notes: 16/40 were ranked as interior offensive linemen as recruits. 15/40 were ranked as offensive tackles.

EDGE

The sample: The last 55 EDGE prospects drafted rounds 1-3 (2019-2022)

Average size: 6-foot-4, 232.6 pounds, 33.7-inch arm, 9.9-inch hand

Height thresholds: 50/55 over 6-foot-3, 0/55 under 6-foot-2, 6/55 over 6-foot-5

Weight thresholds: 52/55 210+ pounds, 15/55 over 240 pounds, 2/55 over 270 pounds (Travon Walker, Rashan Gary)

Frame thresholds:

• 43/55 have a 33+ inch arm
• 23/55 have a 34+ inch arm (12 first-rounders)
• 0/55 have a sub-32-inch arm
• 25/40 have a 10+ inch hand
• 1/55 has a sub-9-inch hand

Average statistics (out of 47): 69.5 tackles, 20.8 tackles for loss, 10.7 sacks

Average athletic testing (out of 27): 4.87 second 40-yard dash, 4.54 second shuttle, 31.9 inch vertical

Other positions: 30/55 played on offense, with most doubling as a tight end or wide receiver.

Multi-sport: At least 40/55 played multiple sports, 34/55 played basketball.

Geographic dispersion: Florida (7), Georgia (6), Texas (6), California (4), New Jersey (4), Virginia (4)

Additional notes: 26/34 EDGE’s with available TFL stats posted over 15 TFL.

Defensive Line

The sample: The last 42 defensive linemen drafted rounds 1-3 (2018-2022)

Average size: 6-foot-3.4, 283.4 pounds, 33.3-inch arm, 9.95-inch hand

Height thresholds: 33/42 over 6-foot-3, 4/42 under 6-foot-2, 8/42 over 6-foot-4

Weight thresholds: 31/42 under 300 pounds, 3/42 over 330 pounds, 3/42 under 250 pounds

Frame thresholds:

• 28/42 have a 33+ inch arm
• 9/42 have a 34+ inch arm (6 first-rounders)
• 2/42 have a sub-32-inch arm
• 22/42 have a 10+ inch hand
• 6/42 have a sub-9.5-inch hand (0 under 9)

Average statistics (out of 31): 72.4 tackles, 19.3 tackles for loss, 8.3 sacks

Average athletic testing (out of 22): 5.22 second 40-yard dash, 4.71 second shuttle (3 over 5.0 seconds) , 27.1 inch vertical

Other positions: 20/42 played on both sides of the ball

Multi-sport: 27/40 played multiple sports with track and basketball being the most common.

Geographic dispersion: Texas (8), Alabama (4), North Carolina (4), Georgia (3), Mississippi (3)

Additional notes: 3/14 first-rounders since 2018 were under 6-foot-4 (Devonte Wyatt, Ed Oliver, Daron Payne).

Linebacker

The sample: The last 47 linebackers drafted rounds 1-3 (2018-2022)

Average size: 6’2, 214.9 pounds, 32.4-inch arm, 9.7-inch hand

Height thresholds: 4/47 under 6-feet (1 first-rounder, Devin Bush), 7/47 under 6-foot-1, 6/47 over 6-foot-3 (4 first-rounders)

Weight thresholds: 42/47 over 200 pounds, 1/47 over 240 pounds

Frame thresholds:

• 17/47 have a 33+ inch arm (7 first-rounders)
• 10/47 have a sub-32-inch arm (2 first-rounders)
• 3/47 have a sub-31-inch arm
• 15/47 have a 10+ inch hand (3 first-rounders)
• 2/47 have a sub-9-inch hand

Average statistics (out of 39): 90.3 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.3 sacks

Average athletic testing (out of 27): 4.68 second 40-yard dash (4 over 4.8), 4.36 shuttle, 34.8 vertical

Other positions: 38/47 played on offense, including the 10 linebackers from the 2022 draft and the last five first-rounders.

Multi-sport: 36/47 played multiple sports. Track (23) and basketball (18) were the most common.

Geographic dispersion: Texas (6), California (5), Georgia (4), Alabama (3), Louisiana (3), Ohio (3), Mississippi (3), Virginia (3)

Cornerback

The sample: The last 63 cornerbacks drafted rounds 1-3 (2018-2022)

Average size: 6-foot-0.1, 178 pounds, 31.4-inch arm

Height thresholds:

• 56/63 5-foot-10 or taller
• 2/63 under 5-foot-10 (Marcus Jones, Asante Samuel Jr.)
• 21/63 6-foot-1 or taller (6 first-rounders)

Weight thresholds:

• 1/63 under 160 pounds (Sauce Gardner)
• 11/63 under 170 pounds
• 0/63 over 200 pounds

Length thresholds: 21/63 have a 32+ inch arm (6 first-rounders), 5/63 have a sub 30-inch arm

Average statistics (out of 39): 43.5 tackles, 9.2 pass breakups, 3.6 interceptions

Average 100 meter time (out of 34): 10.94 seconds (9/16 first-rounders with a sub 11.0 second time)

Average 200 meter time (out of 17): 21.96 seconds

Average athletic testing (out of 34): 4.55 second 40-yard dash, 4.24 shuttle, 35.3 inch vertical

Other positions: 56/67 played on offense with wide receiver (40/67) being the most common.

Multi-sport: 55/67 played multiple sports with most (44) running track.

Geographic dispersion: Florida (14), Louisiana (7), Georgia (6), Alabama (5), California (4), Michigan (4), Texas (4)

Safety

The sample: The last 40 safeties drafted rounds 1-3 (2018-2022)

Average size: 6-foot-0.8, 185 pounds, 31.7-inch arm

Height thresholds: 33/40 6-feet or taller, 1/40 under 5-foot-10-.5 (Antoine Winfield Jr.), 3/40 over 6-foot-3

Weight thresholds: 36/40 over 170 pounds, 4/40 over 200 pounds, 0/40 over 210 pounds

Length thresholds: 29/40 have a 31+ inch arm, 16/40 have a 32+ inch arm, 1/40 has a sub-30-inch arm

Average statistics (out of 38): 64.9 tackles, 3.63 interceptions

Other positions: At least 32/40 also played on offense. 23/40 played wide receiver, 5 saw time at quarterback.

Average athletic testing (out of 20): 4.62 40, 4.23 shuttle, 35.7 vertical

Average 100 meter time (out of 14): 11.15 seconds

Multi-sport: At least 27/40 played multiple sports. 18 participated in track, 10 played basketball.

Geographic dispersion: Texas (6), Florida (4), Georgia (4), California (3), Ohio (3)

Additional notes: The average arm length for the last seven first-round safeties is 32.1 inches.