A 3rd-round pick (70th overall) in the 1997 NFL Draft out of Kent State, O.J. Santiago has built an NFL career since. He last played in 2003 with LV, a career spanning 7 NFL seasons. Last season's 45.9 ScoutIndex Rating landed in the 44th percentile among TEs, below average for the position. His size stands out most — the 96th percentile at the position. Across 4 NFL seasons, he has totaled 37 catches for 396 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Size
6'7", 265#
College
Kent State
Draft
Rd 3, 70th overall (1997)
Seasons
1997–2003
2000 ScoutIndex Rating · TE
Methodology54th percentile among TEs · limited sample
1 games · 0 targets
2000 attribute card
click a row to see the formulagroup averages
Athleticism
Speedno data▶
Percentile of 40-yard dash time among TEs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.
Burstno data▶
Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine TEs.
Agilityno data▶
Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine TEs (faster = higher).
Size96▶
Height/weight z-score vs. the TE cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).
Receiving
Hands52▶
Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.
Deep Threat70▶
Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.
YAC Ability50▶
Yards after catch ÷ reception.
Role
Target Share64▶
Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.
Air-Yards Share68▶
Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.
Impact
Efficiency56▶
Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.
Volume7▶
Total targets this season.
Career (regular season)
Career profile
Across 4 NFL seasons on file, O.J. Santiago has played in 31 regular-season games, playing for 4 teams: ATL (1999), DAL (2000), CLE (2001), LV (2003).
As a receiver he has caught 37 passes for 396 yards and 2 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 1999 with ATL: 174 yards and 0 touchdowns in 10 games.
By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 1999: a 45.9, in the 44th percentile among TEs that year.
Career highs (regular season)
- Most receiving yards in a game53 on 2 catches vs MIN, 2003 Week 11
2000 splits
regular season2000 game log
| Wk | Opp | Line | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 | CAR | — | 42.7 |
O.J. Santiago — common questions
- What position does O.J. Santiago play?
- O.J. Santiago is listed as a TE.
- Which teams has O.J. Santiago played for?
- In the seasons on file (1999 onward), O.J. Santiago has played for ATL (1999), DAL (2000), CLE (2001), LV (2003).
- Where did O.J. Santiago go to college?
- O.J. Santiago played college football at Kent State.
- When was O.J. Santiago drafted?
- O.J. Santiago was selected in round 3, 70th overall, of the 1997 NFL Draft.
- How many touchdowns has O.J. Santiago scored?
- O.J. Santiago has 2 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (2 receiving).
- What is O.J. Santiago's ScoutIndex Rating?
- O.J. Santiago rated 42.1 for 2003, the 43rd 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
- Rick MirerQB · 2003
- Rich GannonQB · 2003
- Charlie GarnerRB · 2003
- Jerry RiceWR · 2003
- Tyrone WheatleyRB · 2003
- Tim BrownWR · 2003
- Jerry PorterWR · 2003
- Marques TuiasosopoQB · 2003
Drafted in round 3, 1997
- Sedrick ShawRB · pick 61
- Troy DavisRB · pick 62
- Frank MiddletonG · pick 63
- Jay GrahamRB · pick 64
- Dexter CoakleyLB · pick 65
- Ronde BarberFS · pick 66
- Dan NeilG · pick 67
- Ryan PhillipsOLB · pick 68
Also from Kent State
- Luke FlorieaWR · 2025–2025
- Brian WintersG · 2013–2021
- Isaiah McKoyWR · 2021–2021
- Nate HolleyDB · 2020–2020
- Roosevelt NixFB · 2015–2019
- Josh KlineG · 2013–2019
- James HarrisonOLB · 2002–2017
- Najee MurrayDB · 2017–2017