The NFL Scouting Combine: Lots of Meaningless Analytics

Sports fans believe that Billy Beane, the Oakland A’s General Manager, is the Godfather of sports analytics; using random numbers and formulas to determine an athlete’s worth. However, the true Godfather of analytics, the NFL Scouting Combine, has just concluded.

At the combine, draft eligible college football players were measured based on a variety of metrics, and the measurements will be used to determine the professional football worthiness of these athletes. While some of the tests and drills made absolute sense, others were downright ridiculous.

Measuring the size of a quarterback’s hand is important because it helps to determine his ability to hold on to the football, which is a vital QB skill. On the other hand, when teams pass on an offensive lineman because his arms measures at 33⅝” instead of the magical 34” that is supposed to be indicative of O-Line greatness, that is utterly ridiculous. The length of a Center’s arms cannot determine the player’s heart or his football skill.

Don’t misunderstand; every measurable seemingly has a purpose. Vertical Leap can show if a receiver can go up for high passes. The bench press shows how strong interior linemen are, and 40-yard dash times show the closing speed of DBs and the breakaway speed of receivers. The problem that I have is that none of these drills are in pads, and none of them are true measures of a player’s ability to play football. The Pro Day shows if the potential draftees can actually play football.

The standing broad jump is a measurable that is completely meaningless. No one will ever see a football player stand in place, then jump in the air and fly forward 11-12’ during a football game. In addition, the athleticism required to be a great broad jumper doesn't translate to football.

I would much rather see skills challenges similar to the skills competition that is held during NBA All-Star Weekend. Running Backs running around moving defenders; receivers catching balls from all angles; DBs running step for step with a moving object, and then stopping a flying football without touching the moving object. I would like to see kickers kicking field goals of different lengths, from either hash mark, with differing wind strengths and directions. These tests would show football skill. Broad jumping and measuring arm length simply does not.