After cognitive testing became a significant story leading up to last year’s NFL Draft, one top agency has decided to drop the issue in 2024.
Athletes First, a major agency that represents a number of NFL players, recently discreetly alerted clubs that it has urged clients not to participate in any cognitive or psychological testing before to the draft, according to Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic. In a communication to teams, the agency stated that “the fact that certain results and performances were leaked publicly last year” led to inappropriate and unfair talks about draft prospects.
That is a blatant allusion to Athletes First customer CJ Stroud, who was subjected to a flood of negative publicity after it was revealed that he scored only 18 out of 100 on the S2 test last year. The Houston Texans picked him second overall, and he was easily the finest rookie quarterback last season, outperforming others who apparently scored much higher.
Notably, Athletes First does not have any of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft.
The rumours concerning Stroud proved to be unfounded. Between that and the terrible stories that have emerged from the leaked exam scores, there does not appear to be much incentive for candidates to take the test.
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