It is easy to get caught up in measurables, workout numbers, and highlights during the evaluation process of NFL Draft prospects, but the traits that usually translate aren’t always captured in a stopwatch or box score.
Everyone has their own evaluation standards or “tells”. Below are a few I rely on when evaluating the offense.
What I believe to be the best predictors of success.
Football IQ! Decision-making under duress. How fast does the QB process through their reads? Do they reach the 3rd read?
Accuracy, throws over the middle of the field, and how do they fare versus top, elite talent? I will sound like a broken record with that at every position.
What I do not put as much stock in.
Statistics or highlights. How great they look when operating without pressure and in clean pockets is also of little importance.
In short, processing speed and a QB's mental makeup > athletic testing.
Elite vision is what separates productive backs from average ones. The ability to identify running lanes as they develop, anticipate blocks, and avoid unnecessary contact.
What I do not put much stock in.
Straight-line speed, college production, highlight runs, and combine testing in isolation. Eplosiveness only matters if it aligns with what’s shown on film.
Bench press reps demonstrate upper-body strength, but they don’t always correlate with breaking tackles or handling contact. Lower-body strength and play strength on film are more relevant.
I am always looking for a wide receiver’s ability to separate in man & press coverage. I want to see a well-developed route tree and a clean release for the routes. Yards after the catch are important, but even more so when they come from the receiver creating them, not from space the design gave them or from a missed defensive assignment. Strong, reliable hands and ball-tracking ability are also important in my evaluations.
What I do not put as much stock in.
A player’s yardage total on the back of their football card or forced/schemed targets. I want to see a player create separation.
Do tight ends have success versus man coverage, and do they exhibit athleticism? Is their route tree greater than being used inside the twenty?
Can their blocking ability keep them on the field in both pass and run situations?
What I do not put as much stock in.
Again, the stats, touchdown totals, and their height and weight.
Do they have elite balance and pass pro-ready footwork? Do they have a strong core and anchor? Do they show an ability to process the various pass-rushing plans and have the athleticism to recover well?
What I do not put as much stock in.
Fun highlights, like mauling people over in the run game, or having highlight games against certain opponents. If you get abused as the talent increases, the highlight reels mean very little.
As always, thank you for reading!
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