ScoutIndex

PIT PIT

Vance McDonald

TE

Drafted 55th overall in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft, Vance McDonald arrived from Rice. He last played in 2020 with PIT, a career spanning 8 NFL seasons. Last season's 24.9 ScoutIndex Rating landed in the 2nd percentile among TEs, below average for the position. Few match his yac ability, which grades in the 85th percentile. Across 8 NFL seasons, he has totaled 181 catches for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Size

6'4", 267#

College

Rice

Draft

Rd 2, 55th overall (2013)

Seasons

2013–2020

2017 ScoutIndex Rating · TE

Methodology
51.2

64th percentile among TEs

10 games · 24 targets

Role×0.14-0.29
Hands×0.1+0.64
Volume×0.12-0.18
Total EPA×0.22-0.08
EPA/target×0.3+0.01
Yards/target×0.12+0.47

2017 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed51▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among TEs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst62▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine TEs.

Agility24▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine TEs (faster = higher).

Size72▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the TE cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Receiving

Hands22▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat72▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability85▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share45▶

Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.

Air-Yards Share45▶

Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.

Impact

Efficiency45▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.

Volume58▶

Total targets this season.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2020PIT32.9101599
2019PIT24.9142382733
2018PIT71.915506104
2017PIT51.210141881
2016SF62.210243914
2015SF44.514303263
2014SF22.34230
2013SF41.2108119

Career profile

Across 8 NFL seasons on file, Vance McDonald has played in 87 regular-season games, playing for 2 teams: SF (2013–2016), PIT (2017–2020).

He has rushed for 2 yards and 0 touchdowns. As a receiver he has caught 181 passes for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2018 with PIT: 610 yards and 4 touchdowns in 15 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2018: a 71.9, in the 93rd percentile among TEs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2017 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home4
7
1.8/g
94
24/g
0
Away6
7
1.2/g
94
16/g
1
In division5
7
1.4/g
94
19/g
0
Out of division5
7
1.4/g
94
19/g
1
In wins8
14
1.8/g
188
24/g
1
In losses2
0
0.0/g
0
0/g
0
On grass8
8
1.0/g
120
15/g
0
On turf2
6
3.0/g
68
34/g
1
Indoors2
6
3.0/g
68
34/g
1
Outdoors8
8
1.0/g
120
15/g
0

2017 game log

WkOppLineScore
PostseasonJAX10 rec, 112 yds, 0 TD—
Week 1CLE—36.9
Week 3CHI—43.4
Week 4BAL—40.5
Week 5JAX—25.6
Week 6KC1 rec, 26 yds, 0 TD57.4
Week 7CIN2 rec, 37 yds, 0 TD55.6
Week 10IND2 rec, 16 yds, 1 TD63.4
Week 14BAL4 rec, 52 yds, 0 TD68.7
Week 16HOU4 rec, 52 yds, 0 TD75
Week 17CLE1 rec, 5 yds, 0 TD39.1

Vance McDonald — common questions

What position does Vance McDonald play?
Vance McDonald is listed as a TE.
Which teams has Vance McDonald played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Vance McDonald has played for SF (2013–2016), PIT (2017–2020).
Where did Vance McDonald go to college?
Vance McDonald played college football at Rice.
When was Vance McDonald drafted?
Vance McDonald was selected in round 2, 55th overall, of the 2013 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Vance McDonald scored?
Vance McDonald has 15 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (15 receiving).
What is Vance McDonald's ScoutIndex Rating?
Vance McDonald rated 32.9 for 2020, the 9th percentile among TEs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 2, 2013

Also from Rice