What Do NFL Scouts Look For?

Finding potential players for any sport is less a science than an art. Measurable skills matter, but they are not the only consideration. While scouts for the National Football League teams all want certain physical and mental skills in a player, there are intangible assets that make a candidate stand out among the many hopefuls. As one anonymous scout said, if height, weight and 40-yard dash speeds were all that mattered, "you could draft players by reading rosters and media guides."

  1. Measurable Skills

    • As the annual NFL invitation-only combine held each February shows, measurable skills do matter. With scouts and executives from every team present, players are timed on the 40-yard dash, measured in a vertical and broad jump, timed in cone drills and measured on their bench press strength. Beyond the numbers, however, scouts look for an explosive start in the dash, balance in the broad jump, endurance in weight-lifting and agility in cone drills.

    Body Considerations

    • Outside of height and weight, NFL scouts look for body types and characteristics suited to the various positions. Flexibility is important on a football field. A player who can't adjust his body quickly will find himself flat on the ground more often than someone who can evade an opponent with quick foot movements and the ability to weave. Since all football players can expect bumps and bruises, durability is essential. Someone who tolerates pain better will get through a rehabilitation stint faster and return to the field sooner.

    Mental Aspects and Character

    • As a team sport, football requires discipline. A player who "does his own thing" is not attractive to scouts, but a player who thinks on his feet is. Scouts want players who can learn new things and adjust to changes quickly while under pressure. Mental toughness is important. Teams want a player who bounces right back after a bad play, someone who learns from mistakes and uses that knowledge to better himself. Scouts also observe how a player interacts with his teammates and how he reacts when things get tough. By speaking with coaches and training staff, scouts learn about a player's impact on the locker room and his overall character.

    Production

    • For a scout, production goes beyond what the statistics say. A player who has performed well at all levels is likely to continue to do so. If a productive high school player falters in college football, it may be that the high school team as a whole was talented or the coaching staff spent more time with the player. Production is a combination of a good athlete and a good football player.