Decent article from Omar: 1. The shuttle run and 3-cone drill are often overlooked, but they are very important tests because it shows a player’s true speed when he changes directions, which is what football is all about. Think about it, how many times do you see a guy run 40-yards in a straight line? Now, how many times a game do you see a guy change directions at least twice and sprint? 2. Small school players need to DOMINANT on their level to even have a chance to play with the big boys. And they SHOULD hold their own at a senior showcase game like the Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine or Texas vs. the Nation. While a small school player might have the athletic ability to be successful in the NFL he’ll likely be far behind when it comes to the learning curve and fundamentals. 3. A prospect who had to attend a junior college usually isn’t very smart, or is lazy. Hate to stereotype, but it’s generally true. Of course there should be exceptions made for (small players, and late bloomers like Bryant McKinnie). But football studs usually know what they need to qualify for one of the NCAA’s 300 division I or I-AA schools at a young age. If they don’t do what it takes it’s a warning sign that something is lacking. 4. No one-year wonders allowed. College athletes have four or five years to develop, but it shouldn’t take them all but one year to turn their careers around. Guys who blossom into a dominant player in their final season are either lazy or motivated by money, and neither should be a guy you want on your team. You’ll find very few one-year wonders who turning into an NFL star. Guys who bolt after their one good junior year complicate this rule. 6. While I’m a sucker for a guy with a big arm, accuracy is the most important trait for a quarterback. Each year that quarterback is a starter he needs to improve, and it’s best to evaluate a quarterback’s accuracy and game film against his best competition. 8. Tailbacks MUST have vision to set up their blocks. This is something that can’t be taught. It comes naturally. It’s what separates the decent backs (Ronnie Brown) from the elite ones (Frank Gore). You can see vision based on what they do at the line of scrimmage. Just watch his feet. http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sport...draft-common-traits-that-lead-to-success.html
I look at the shuttle & cone, too. I don't pay much attention to 40 time unless the guy is supposed to be a blazer or if his time is much slower than expected and he seems to have questionable speed on the field. What I do use the forty time for is to measure the players quickness & change of direction (COD) ability by comparing it to his shuttle time. For anyone who doesn't know, you're looking for a nice difference between the two (unless the guy is blazing fast), with the shuttle hopefully being faster than the forty. If the forty time & shuttle time are similar, it means the player is more of a straight line guy. For example: Sean Smith: 4.5 forty..... 4.15 shuttle. (6.92 cone) Mike Jenkins: 4.38 forty..... 4.4 shuttle. (7.21 cone) Sean has a +.35 second difference compared to Mike's -.02. This tells you that Sean is quicker than he is fast with good COD ability, where as Jenkins is more of a straight line speed guy (that he's faster than he is quick). For a CB position where the player is constantly having to redirect himself to stay with a WR, Sean's quickness & COD ability has the upper hand. Sean allowed 24 catches for 325 yards and 1 TD. Jenkins allowed 54 for 935 yards & 5 TDs (the 2nd most yards in the NFL). For pass rushers, I also pay close attention to the vertical & broad jump <to measure their explosiveness>. It's not an exact science, and I take it with a grain of salt, but there is worth to it IMO. Cam Wake: 45.5' vert.. 10"10 broad jump. DeMarcus Ware: 38.5'.. 10"2 Mario Williams: 40.5'.... 10"1 Julius Peppers: 36'....... 10"5 Trent Cole: 38'............ 10"4 Shawne Merriman: 40'.. 10"1 Clay Matthews: 35.5'.... 10"1 Brian Orakpo: 39.5'...... 10"10 Kam Wimbley: 38.5'..... 10"9 Jason Babin: 34'.......... 10"1 Jared Allen: 33'........... 10"0 Justin Tuck: 38.5'......... 9"10 Lamarr Woodly: 38.5'... 9"9 (not bad for 6'2, 265) Dwight Freeney: 40' vertical. unsure of broad jump Recent 1st round DEs/OLBs who haven't produced: Derrick Harvey: 28.5'.... 9"5. Robert Ayers: 29.5'....... 8"6 Lawrence Jackson: 31'... 9"0 Larry English: 36'......... 8"11. (none seem explosive) I also pay attention to 10 yard splits.
