Grading System Used by NFL

You have most likely noticed a letter grade listed all the way to the right of the players name on the scouting reports that I have been posting. I would imagine that everyone is wondering what that letter stands for, and I am about to clear it all up. The letter represents a grade that scouts give to players to help their teams decipher who it is that they are going to take in the draft.

The grading system breaks down as follows:

A— This type of player comes along every 20 years or so. Ex: John Elway or think 5 tool player if people out there are familiar with baseball scouting reports. This type of player has it all, the skill, intelligence, size, physical ability, leadership etc…

B—Same as an A player, but not as productive on the field due to circumstances outside of their control. Ex: Irving Fryar, the great WR, only had 9 catches in his senior year at Nebraska due to the offense they were running.

C—Overall same qualities of an A player but this player is small. Ex: Barry Sanders

D— This is going to be a Pro Bowl player and is also the highest grade that an offensive lineman can recieve due to the fact that they don’t significantly change the game (they don’t score TD’s)

E—”Coach Killer” this is the classic underachiever, he might have the skill of an A,B, or C guy but doesn’t do it every play. this is the type of player that will take plays off and drive coaches crazy.

F—Overachiever. Ex: Mike Hart from Michigan, he is small and ran a 4.83 at the combine yet he rushed for over 1500 yards at Michigan this past season. Too many of these guys on a team will cause you to lose games.

G—Small player– maybe a good player but lacks the size. This is your 5’9″ corner.

H—Projection guy, this is the player that may be a QB in college but will be playing a different position in the NFL.

Ex: Matt Jones, QB at Arkansas and now a WR with the Jacksonville Jaguars

I—Teams are looking for I’s, they have all the equipment to be a great player. They have the size, and the speed to go with it. This is your 6’0 190LB CB/S that runs a 4.4, or your 6’2 215LB WR

J—Undersized player at this point but has the frame to be able to put the necessary weight on. Ex: Jason Taylor– If the player can put the weight on they can become an I player and if not they will become a G player

K— Has one or two critical faults, but has something that separates him from the normal population of civilians.

M— No football instinct, no feel for the game

Marcus Pollard, Antonio Gates

N—Non Football athlete. This player may have not played football in college but there is something about him that makes you think he could be a good football player. Ex: Marcus Pollard, Antonio Gates