Every year, teams study film, and so do fans, looking for the next great player who will lead their franchise to the podium and hold a Lombardi Trophy.
The evaluations go far beyond the stat sheet or the results of a combine forty time. Watching a film and assessing talent is one thing; knowing the full package is a lot more involved.
Players undergo numerous mental tests in addition to the physical ones. Teams have psychologists studying every social media post they have ever made. Many interviews are reviewed for “trigger words” using artificial intelligence to assist in the process. Background checks are conducted to determine whether the player has any character issues or legal problems, and a team of professionals assesses whether their behavior suggests future issues. And, more importantly, numerous conversations with coaches and players are held to learn about the prospect’s leadership skills and mental fortitude. I try to read bios about every player I rank near the top just to learn more about them. For me, learning a player’s journey and discovering who they are is one of the most enjoyable parts of the process
A strong work ethic is one of the first things I look for in a prospect. When available, I ask their current and former teammates and coaches what they think of their dedication. Many players have gotten by on talent alone, and that will not work at the next level. Disciplined, dedicated, and mentally tough players typically handle the rigors of the NFL much better.
Some scouts conduct background checks on players to identify any potential character flaws. Not all past behavior or incidents indicate future misconduct; however, most teams have grading scales that determine how they view past offenses and the risk they are willing to take regarding various infractions.
Statistics are great, but without the context of watching the plays, you do not have a good understanding of their true value or impact. What was the defense in, who were the players going up against, and were the big plays a fluke, etc?
Ex: A CB has three picks in a single game. Sounds great, but when you watch, you notice one was off the hands of a receiver who should have caught the ball, and the DB was out of position, another took a crazy bounce and ended up in a defender’s hand, and the third was a bad read by the QB who threw it right to the corner.
Scouting is more about predicting someone’s future success than what they have done. If a player’s stats have come from improbable plays rather than talent, it is another red flag for me. You have to watch the tape, not just read the box scores.
Performance against NFL-top-tier level competition matters more than the stat sheet. Always check who they are putting up those gaudy stats against.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. A player’s durability and how they treat their bodies are heavily factored into determining draft value, as is the type of injuries they have suffered. Similar to the conduct grading scale, many teams also have one that includes injuries. The severity, frequency, and whether the injury could be easily reaggregated are heavily weighed into their determination.
The adage “the best ability is availability” is as true today as ever.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what goes into player evaluations for almost every NFL team, as they determine which prospect is the best fit for their franchise in terms of talent, character, and core values.
This process is the most fascinating aspect of team building and is usually the primary determinant between successful franchises and those that struggle to win.
As always, thank you for reading!
Follow me on X @DavidNeiszPHL
