Prior to each NFL draft, the folks at Football Outsiders release their SackSEER projections for edge rushers. They base SackSEER projections on, “a statistical analysis of the factors that have historically correlated to success as an NFL edge rusher.” Among the stats it measures:
- The edge rusher's projected draft position. These projections use the rankings from ESPN's Scouts, Inc.;
- An "explosion index" that measures the prospect's scores in the 40-yard dash, the vertical leap, and the broad jump in pre-draft workouts;
- The prospect's score on the three-cone drill;
- A metric called SRAM ("sack rate as modified") which measures the prospect's per-game sack productivity, but with adjustments for factors such as early entry in the NFL draft and position switches during college;
- The prospect's college passes defensed divided by college games played;
- The number of medical redshirts the player either received or was eligible for.