The 2024 NFL Draft is just two months away. Scouts and fans alike are already trying to determine who the top draft prospects are. However, they may have to take one measurement out of the equation.
An earlier report revealed that some draft prospects may no longer volunteer to take cognitive tests to measure their football IQ. Why might these players decline to take this test? Read below to find out.
Athletes First Agency Urging Prospects to Decline Cognitive Test
According to a report from The Athletic, the Athletes First agency is directing its clients to decline to take the cognitive test leading up to this year’s draft. In that article, it was revealed that the agency notified several teams that their clients would not be participating in that test. So, why do they want their prospects to decline this test?
The reason cited is the lack of privacy for these results. Last year, certain cognitive test scores were leaked. Most notably, QB C.J. Stroud was ridiculed for his poor performance on this test.
Athletes First is citing that this is a major breach of privacy, and it is an unrealistic expectation. They make the point that no other job interview would have these results leaked to the public. As a result, the agency believes these players have more to lose than gain by taking this test.
Inconsistent Results
If anything, this cognitive test has shown that it does not always deliver the most accurate results. Let’s go back to Stroud as an example. He had the lowest score of any quarterback prospect last year. Yet, he recently won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Stroud even stated that tests are not his thing, and that statement was certainly backed up on the field.
On the other end of the spectrum, QB Justin Fields had the highest score of any quarterback in recent memory. Yet, there are no guarantees that he is even going to be a starting quarterback next season. At the very least, most people would likely agree that Stroud is the better quarterback option of these two.
New Trend?
It is going to be interesting to see how this plays out. Will refusing to take this test impact the draft position of the players that decline? Or will this become widespread and the new normal in years to come? We will have to wait and see.
Get More NFL Content
For more news and trends around the NFL, click here or follow me on Twitter @JohnGalletley.