And yet there are studies that say it is an important tool in evaluating players. Somehow I wouldn't think as much time & money would go into something like this if it didn't have any return value. I don't buy for a second anyone who's "guy" preforms well, does better than the other option wouldn't be all over it. Not a chance.
Lowest ever wonderlic to win a super bowl is 25, Big Ben. These tests do mean a great deal and sell me even more on Josh Allen.
Bradshaw couldn't spell cat if you spotted him the c and the t according to Hollywood Henderson. Still one of the greatest trash-talking lines ever before a Super Bowl.
You guys are missing the point. Yes other QB's have scored low (though Lamar Jackson is even lower than most of them, he's scary low) but here's the thing...Marino, Kelly etc. All of these guys had done interviews, met with various teams, were really thoroughly dissected and evaluated. These teams had no real issue drafting them (with Marino it was drug allegations that held him back) who knows why Marino only got a 16? Or Kelly a 15. Listen to these guys speak, then AND now. They come across as extremely bright and savvy despite the low scores. Marino and Bradshaw have done studio analysis. I have no idea how to reconcile their scores, but it is possible that back in the 80's they just blew the test off...I don't really know. But their wonderlics never quite matched up to the players that they were. Trouble with Jackson is that that he scored like a dullard, and he comes across in interviews like a dullard too! That wasn't with the others. You think Bill Polian, one of the most brilliant NFL executives of all time, would go out and make such a bold, declarative statement about him being better off as a WR without some serious inside info? He is one of the most astute, well connected men in football. He knows what he's talking about.
Josh Rosen will always be the wrong pick. People keep trying to sell you that his apathy for the game doesn't exist. It's real. He wants a career that doesnt involve his injury. He hates football
Hall of fame Frank Gore scored a 6. Probably has the best vision for a running back in the last 20ish years
Ugh. Analytics can be wrong, though it seems Mayfield grades well in many of them. It’s good to see competition for the Wonderlic though. Still hoping for Rosen, even if he’s the safe pick.
That’s where you start to wonder, is a thinker better then an instinct player. I’ll take Marino’s instincts over a Wonderlic wiz any day of the week.
But he's a RB, it's a take the ball, run for as much as you can. Don't need a lot of smarts to perform. QB is a completely different position. Have to digest information and process it.
Mayfield blew every bit of competition out of the water in a new test that NFL teams are sinking money in to and I wouldn’t ever suggest that it’s the be all end all of QB smarts. Things like this are like advanced stats in basketball. They should only be taken into consideration when it matches up with what the eyes tell you. Edit: I’m also a Rosen guy so this is irrelevant. I just prefer Mayfield 10 times out of 10 over Allen.
I get it. But the league, for better or worse, believes in the Wonderlic as a tool. Again I don't see any test's results changing the order on a teams board but do think it's takes into account on a lower level. So yeah if you are leaning towards Allen and then these scores are posted it may cement the choice for that team.
The wonderlic does not test a player's instincts on the field as @Jets81 indicated above. It's there ability to process cognitive inquiries. To play RB, its more then just take the ball and run for as much as you can. You have to have great vision, awareness and instinct to play the position. You have to digest the information there as well. Pass protecting a QB, knowing the QBs calls. Frank Gore on 2 bad knees, at 35 is still playing. Sometimes a player just has IT, it cannot be found via a test. Just like Dan Marino who had a 16 or something and Fitz having the highest score.
