DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2013 NFL Season NFL Draft (2013) Cleveland Browns Prospect Grading System Under Belicheck

Here's the system used by Mike Lombardi when discussing prospects with Bill Belicheck. He gave it to Wes Bunting with National Football Post to use for rating incoming talent. I found it interesting. Enjoy!

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-Prospect-Grading-System.html

Starting Caliber

9.0 Starts first game as a pro… A rare prospect who possesses rare physical attributes which have an obvious impact on the game… Will instantly become one of the best players at his position in the NFL.

8.5 Becomes a starter during his rookie year… A prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches and have an obvious impact on the game… Will become one of the premier players in the league.

8.0 Starts in first game as a pro… A prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents… A featured player on a team.

7.5 Becomes a starter during his rookie year… A prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents… A featured player on team.

7.0 Becomes a starter during his rookie year… Becomes a solid NFL player who has no real weakness… Can’t be exploited or consistently taken out of games.

Dirty Starter Caliber / Specialty Player

6.9 Contributes first year and starts second year… Must be able to get on the field and make a contribution as a rookie… Expected to start his second year in the league.

6.8 Contributes first year, but may take time to become a starter… Has the ability to become a starter and will be expected to assume a starting role.

6.7 Contributes first year, but doesn’t possess the physical and/or athletic skill set required to ever become a starter. However has the ability to become a dynamic sub-package option and make an instant impact for an NFL team.

6.6 Clean player who is inconsistent in his play due to character, technique, alertness or competitiveness… Has all the physical tools needed to become a starter… If he overcomes his deficiencies he will be a star in the league… If he doesn’t he will be a complete failure — There is NO middle ground!

Possible Starter Caliber / Developmental Prospect Caliber

6.5 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or his physical attributes but should be able to overcome it and contribute to a team… Has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.

6.4 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or his physical attributes that will be difficult to overcome, but will contribute in spite of it… Has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.

6.3 Has one deficient area of his physical attributes that he can NEVER overcome, but has been productive and has the potential to be a starter in the NFL in spite of his shortcomings.

6.2 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or physical attributes that he should be able to overcome and contribute to a team. Doesn’t possess the physical and/or athletic skill set required to ever become a starter, but has the abilities to become a productive sub-package option and make an impact for an NFL team.

6.1 A clean prospect who will need time and development in order to contribute…physically, this player has all the tools to be a starter in the NFL but has not yet developed the necessary skills due to level of competition, offensive or defensive schemes, injury, grades or lack of playing time…true developmental player who has the potential to become a starter.

6.0 An underachiever who has exhibited a deficiency in some area of his play...has the abilities to become a starter but hasn’t played up to them…has a problem with football instincts, character and/or competitiveness…boom-or-bust prospect.

Backup/Depth Caliber

5.9 Has a deficient area of his playing or physical skills that he SHOULD overcome and contribute as a backup and spot player only.

5.8 Has a deficient area of his playing or physical skills that will be DIFFICULT to overcome, but will contribute as a backup and spot player only.

5.7 Has a deficient area of his physical skills that CANNOT be overcome, but has been productive and can contribute as a backup and spot player only.

Free Agent Category

5.6 Free Agent with Speed, Character and Competitiveness.

5.5 Free Agent with Athletic Ability, Character and Competitiveness.

5.4 Free Agent with Size, Character and Competitiveness.

5.3 Free Agent at a High Level of Competition with either Size, Speed or Athletic Ability.

5.2 Free Agent with Size or Speed.

5.1 Free Agent with Character and Competitiveness.

5.0 Camp Body

4.0 Reject… No Qualities for Professional Football

NFP College Lettering System

B This prospect presently lacks the bulk for the position, but should be able to add bulk through time.

C This prospect has a character problem that must be considered before drafting… It may involve drugs, alcohol, weight problems, criminal acts, coachability or motor.

D This prospect has NO weakness in any critical factors, but will need time and development in order to fulfill his potential.

F This prospect presently lacks the bulk for the position and the frame to add the desired weight… It will be VERY DIFFICULT for this prospect to get any bigger.

J This prospect is an underclassman and has decided to enter the draft early.

M This prospect lacks football intelligence to play his position in the NFL… Has a problem understanding schemes or taking information from the classroom to the field.

O This prospect is an overachiever that grades out high in competitiveness, character and production.

P This prospect is being projected by the scout to play a position in the NFL that he has never played in college. The scout must feel this prospect has the potential to start in the NFL at the projected position.

S This prospect lacks the required playing speed for his position.

T This prospect is a tight or “stiff” player and the tightness has an effect on his play.

U This prospect is an underachiever, but must have the physical skills required to be a starter in the NFL… The underachiever can be a result of any factor EXECPT physical ability.

X This prospect has an injury problem that has AFFECTED his play.

Z This prospect lacks the required height for his position.

Very interesting. I'm curious to know how that system had Tom Brady ranked, hehe

In the end, this is just setting the framework for those involved to speak a common language. It all still comes down to having scouts that can spot the talent, and then get their voice heard.