We at Draft Breakdown have come up with our own unique scoring system to rank draft prospects. Each player is evaluated using the below listed categories in order to determine overall rank and value. All players are evaluated with basic categories and then evaluated with position specific categories. Each category is assigned a numerical value, some of which are worth more than others to show importance. It is also important to note that scores are only for those particular positions. For example, an offensive tackle may get a rating of 7.5 for speed, but that does not mean that he is faster than running backs with a score of 6.5. Scores are totally subjective to the individual position of the player.
Once the scores are averaged, here is how we determine what round the player grades:
| 7.8 – 8.0 |
Perennial Pro-Bowl type player |
| 7.5 – 7.79 |
Top 10 pick |
| 7.0 – 7.49 |
First Round prospect |
| 6.5 – 6.99 |
First / Second round fringe |
| 6.0 – 6.49 |
Second Rounder |
| 5.7 – 5.99 |
Third Rounder |
| 5.4 – 5.69 |
Fourth Rounder |
| 5.0 – 5.39 |
Late Rounder |
| 4.5 – 4.99 |
Undrafted Free Agent / Training Camp player |
Listed below are explanations of each category.
Non-position specific categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Height/Weight |
6 |
Overall physical makeup for the game of football |
| Speed |
8 |
Straight line speed |
| Quickness/Agility |
10 |
Ability to translate straight line speed into the game play, change of direction, cuts, etc. |
| Strength/Explosion |
10 |
Body strength and ability to use it on the field |
| Athletic Ability |
8 |
Overall athletic ability and versatility |
| Durability |
8 |
Evaluation of player’s injury history |
| Character |
6 |
Off-field incidents or concerns |
| Production/Experience |
6 |
Production on the field at the college level and amount of college play experience |
| Toughness |
8 |
Combination of physical and mental toughness shown during game play |
| Potential |
10 |
Overall skill set if utilized in ideal scenario |
Quarterback Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Decision Making |
10 |
Ability to find the open receiver, throw the ball away, or run when necessary |
| Arm Strength |
7 |
Ability to throw the ball with power and speed, throw distance |
| Accuracy |
10 |
Overall accuracy of passing |
| Mechanics/Footwork |
7 |
Throwing motion and basic form fundamentals |
| Mobility |
6 |
Ability to move in the pocket, evade the rush or run when needed |
| Release Quickness |
8 |
Ability to get the ball out quickly |
Running Back Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Between the tackles |
8 |
Ability of runner to rush inside the offensive tackles |
| Outside the tackles |
8 |
Ability of runner to run outside the offensive tackles |
| Receiving |
6 |
Ability to catch the ball out of the backfield |
| Ball carrying |
8 |
Proper ball placement while running, fumbling issues |
| Vision |
10 |
Ability to see the hole, see blocks develop and identify cut-back lanes |
| Elusiveness |
8 |
Ability to evade tacklers |
| Pass Blocking |
8 |
Ability for runner to pick up blitzers |
| Leg Drive |
8 |
Overall push of the runner, pile push |
| Break Tackle |
8 |
Runners ability to break the tackle |
Fullback Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Blocking |
6 |
Ability to effectively block a defender |
| Hands |
4 |
Ability to catch the ball out of the back field |
| Running Threat |
4 |
Ability to carry the ball effectively |
| Special Teams |
2 |
Ability to play special teams in addition to fullback |
Wide Receiver Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Route Running |
10 |
Ability to smoothly run all NFL routes |
| Hands |
10 |
Overall catching ability |
| Blocking |
4 |
Down field blocking for ball carriers |
| Short Routes |
8 |
Ability to run and create separation on short routes |
| Deep Routes |
8 |
Ability to run and create separation on deep routes |
| Elusiveness/YAC |
8 |
Ability to evade defenders after the catch and add to overall gain of play |
Tight Ends Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Blocking |
8 |
Ability to block effectively for the run and pass game |
| Hands |
8 |
Overall receiving abilities |
| Route Running/Separation |
8 |
Ability to smoothly run NFL routes and create separation |
| Red Zone Threat |
8 |
Ability to get open in the red zone and work in tight areas |
Offensive Lineman Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Pass Blocking |
10 |
Ability to block for run game |
| Run Blocking |
10 |
Ability to block for pass game |
| Awareness |
8 |
Ability to read defenses and pick up blitzers |
| Hand Placement |
6 |
Fundamentals and technique of blocking |
| Pulling/Trapping/Second Level |
6 |
Ability to move to different areas for various blocking schemes, down field blocking |
| Footwork |
8 |
Kick slides for offensive tackles, leg drive, foot movements while pulling/trapping |
| Leverage |
8 |
Ability to play with a lower center of gravity than the defender |
Defensive Line Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Run Stopping |
8 |
Ability to disengage from blocker and stop ball carrier, or plug holes |
| Pass Rushing |
8 |
Ability to rush the quarterback |
| Awareness |
8 |
Ability to recognize offensive line blocking schemes, instincts, feel for trap blocks |
| Hand Placement |
8 |
Fundamental and technique of engaging/disengaging blockers |
Linebacker Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Run Stopping |
8 |
Ability to sniff out and stop the rush |
| Coverage |
8 |
Ability to cover a receiver or work in a zone defense |
| Pass Rushing |
8 |
Ability to rush the quarterback |
| Tackling |
8 |
Overall tackling ability and fundamentals |
| Instincts |
8 |
Ability to predict the play based on offensive looks |
| Hips/Lateral Movement |
8 |
Ability to turn hips and get sideline to sideline |
Defensive Back Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Ball Skills |
10 |
Ability to locate ball in the air, catch ball, deflect the pass |
| Man Coverage |
10 |
Ability to cover a receiver one on one |
| Zone Coverage |
10 |
Ability to drop into zone coverage effectively |
| Tackling |
6 |
Ability to break down and tackle the ball carrier |
| Run Stopping |
6 |
Ability to provide support for run defense |
| Hips/Lateral Movement |
8 |
Ability to turn hips and cover sideline to sideline |
| Physicality |
6 |
Willingness to put body on the line to make a play |
Kicker/Punter Specific Categories
Category
|
Max. Value
|
Description
|
| Power |
7 |
Overall kicking power |
| Accuracy |
7 |
Overall kicking accuracy |
| Kickoffs |
4 |
Ability to effectively kick off, hang time and distance included |
Will Spencer
Will is the founder and President of Draft Breakdown & has been scouting draft prospects since 2002. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including the USA Today Draft Preview Magazine, the official website of the Baltimore Ravens, Ravens Insider and The Orange and Brown Report. Will has previous playing experience as a defensive end in the AFA, is currently a member of the Football Writers Association of America and graduated from the SMWW Football Scouting course in 2009.
Follow Will on Twitter @draftbreakdown. See all posts for Will Spencer
