Derrick Yam ’17 is putting creative thought to work with the NFL
In the weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL draft, Baltimore Ravens Director of Data and Decision Science Derrick Yam ’17 was, as he describes it, in “full-on go mode, running simulations and various scenarios to prepare for which college players the team should draft and when.” He worked 12 days straight at one point in late February.
A math and business double major at Skidmore, as well as goalie on the men’s soccer team, Yam now oversees research for the Scouting Research and Development team at the Baltimore Ravens.
The team’s primary responsibility is developing quantitative methods for college and pro player evaluations, in close coordination with scouts for the team. During the college gridiron season, they identify players who might be flying under the radar and continually update their models.
According to a recent ESPN survey, the Ravens are among the three most analytically advanced teams in the 32-member league (along with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles). They are also second highest in incorporating their analytics into decision-making.
Having come one win shy of advancing to the Super Bowl last season, the Ravens paid a price for their success, earning the third-from-last overall pick in most rounds of the April NFL draft – a long and uncertain wait for the top players on their list.
Nevertheless, the Ravens secured one of their top-20-rated players, speedy Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, at the 30 spot. They also grabbed one of the best and most mobile right tackles in the draft, University of Washington’s Roger Rosengarten, with the 62nd pick.
Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta gave Yam not one but two shoutouts at a post-draft press conference, an unusual public salute for a “behind-the-scenes” staffer. Why? Because Yam sold the GM on the idea that they could stick at 30 and still get Wiggins. Yam also told him there was an 80% chance Rosengarten would still be on the board at 62 and that the Ravens wouldn’t need to trade up to get him.
“DeCosta wasn’t necessarily buying it, but Yam’s initial sense was prescient,” The Athletic reported.
I can’t really divulge our secret sauce. But I can say I’m proud of the team orientation we have with scouting, not just ‘here are our numbers and recommendations,’ but ongoing conversations. We’re constantly evolving.”Derrick Yam '17Baltimore Ravens Director of Data and Decision Science
Yam’s journey to the Ravens’ draft room floor started in a sports statistics class in the basement of Harder Hall with former Skidmore Assistant Professor Michael Lopez, who sparked his interest in statistics, especially sports analytics. Lopez, Yam’s “eternal friend and mentor,” is now the senior director of data and analytics at the NFL.
After graduating from Skidmore, Yam pursued an MA in biostatistics at Brown and joined a research team investigating the effects of various treatments during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Yam then latched on with soccer data company StatsBomb, where he led the development of statistical applications for the company’s analytics software. But he missed the team environment. He is now in his fifth year with the Baltimore Ravens.
“I always knew that if I didn’t end up working in sports, I would want to work in the field of public health,” says Yam. “Luckily, sports panned out for me.”