2025 NFL Combine and Misc Draft Material

[MaroonBells]

And its more of an art than science vs what the industry wants to believe. 

It's still human beings we're trying to pigeon hole and rank

At the bold, I agree completely. And that's a good way to put it. In fact, sometimes I think the less science you put into it (math, metrics, stats, RAS), the better off you are. It's like you mean to tell me that player X is better than player Y because his YPC is a half yard better despite playing in a different offense in a different conference with different blockers against different defenses? You do that and I'll watch their feet and we'll see who does better. 

Actual NFL scouts, guys who get paid to travel the country and watch players and write evals, have proven time and time again they are absolute shit at this. Just read their comments about Aaron Donald I posted a couple days ago. You would think with as much money at stake as there is, and as many resources as they have, NFL teams would've found a way by now to be a little more accurate than they are.

[JustInTime]

At the bold, I agree completely. And that's a good way to put it. In fact, sometimes I think the less science you put into it (math, metrics, stats, RAS), the better off you are. It's like you mean to tell me that player X is better than player Y because his YPC is a half yard better despite playing in a different offense in a different conference with different blockers against different defenses? You do that and I'll watch their feet and we'll see who does better. 

Actual NFL scouts, guys who get paid to travel the country and watch players and write evals, have proven time and time again they are absolute shit at this. Just read their comments about Aaron Donald I posted a couple days ago. You would think with as much money at stake as there is, and as many resources as they have, NFL teams would've found a way by now to be a little more accurate than they are.

I rely on my gut and eyes. First guy I truly “scouted” was Chuck Foreman. I knew after the Hula Bowl he could put us over the top. His style was so unique. Hung onto the ball like it was a loaf of bread. But even as a 13 year old I knew he was the one. To date that’s been my most on the head prediction.

[supafreak84]

At the bold, I agree completely. And that's a good way to put it. In fact, sometimes I think the less science you put into it (math, metrics, stats, RAS), the better off you are. It's like you mean to tell me that player X is better than player Y because his YPC is a half yard better despite playing in a different offense in a different conference with different blockers against different defenses? You do that and I'll watch their feet and we'll see who does better. 

Actual NFL scouts, guys who get paid to travel the country and watch players and write evals, have proven time and time again they are absolute shit at this. Just read their comments about Aaron Donald I posted a couple days ago. You would think with as much money at stake as there is, and as many resources as they have, NFL teams would've found a way by now to be a little more accurate than they are.

I agree, and not to go down this rabbithole again but this was why I was against the Kwesi hire in the beginning because I think it's almost always a mistake to hire a general manager in charge of identifying talent in the draft who does not come from a scouting background for at least several years. To me, that's the most important job of a GM because the draft supplies the lifeblood to an organization. Numbers, metrics and all that stuff only get you so far but at some point you have to dig your heels in the sand and know when someone can play, when they can't, and know what you are looking at on film and in person. Kwesi has been very good in the other areas a GM deals with, but the draft has been a struggle and I will forever contend having Grigson as the "veteran voice" in the draft room further muddies the waters. This is going to be a very telling year for those two because so much is going to depend on McCarthy, Dallas Turner, and getting some type of impact out of this upcoming draft.

[JustInTime]

I’ll saw it again. This is more of a need than most believe.

[purplefaithful]

Hey, what about Will Howard for a Developmental guy???

[JustInTime]

Hey, what about Will Howard for a Developmental guy???

Definitely

[purplefaithful]

edited out

[supafreak84]

From Jordan Reid at ESPN:

The lack of true first-round grades in this class is notable. On average, most teams usually have 15 to 20 prospects who are considered true first-round talents. Two high-level NFL executives told me this week that neither of their teams reached that number. What does that mean? Expect to hear unlikely names in Round 1. Because of the lack of high-end talent, many teams are equating the quality of players in the middle of the first round to prospects in the middle of Round 2.

[Canthony]

I’ll saw it again. This is more of a need than most believe.

MB and I have talked about this months ago. MLB is a bigger need than people think.

[MaroonBells]

I agree, and not to go down this rabbithole again but this was why I was against the Kwesi hire in the beginning because I think it's almost always a mistake to hire a general manager in charge of identifying talent in the draft who does not come from a scouting background for at least several years. To me, that's the most important job of a GM because the draft supplies the lifeblood to an organization. Numbers, metrics and all that stuff only get you so far but at some point you have to dig your heels in the sand and know when someone can play, when they can't, and know what you are looking at on film and in person. Kwesi has been very good in the other areas a GM deals with, but the draft has been a struggle and I will forever contend having Grigson as the "veteran voice" in the draft room further muddies the waters. This is going to be a very telling year for those two because so much is going to depend on McCarthy, Dallas Turner, and getting some type of impact out of this upcoming draft.

I think it depends on the level. I don’t think you’d want your scouts using analytics. But I would imagine for a GM who has to compile a hundred different opinions and formulate them into one cohesive picture, it would be useful. Analytics aren’t just about stats though. There are soft skill and predictive factors as well.