The 2018 Wonderlic scores have been slowly leaking over the past few days. The test, given to all combine attendees, is designed to examine draftees critical thinking and problem solving abilities. Scores for QB's are brutally scrutinised each and every year due to the huge intellectual emphasis on the position. So, the results for potential top draft picks are fairly important. Former scout and current NFL analyst John Middlekauff released some of the results for this years top QB prospects, and it's safe to say it was a mixed bag.
Scores range from 1-50 and anything around 25 or above is considered good for a signal caller.
As we can see four of the top five prospects performed well; Josh Allen (37), Josh Rosen (29), Sam Darnold (28) and Baker Mayfield (25).
However, polarising Louisville QB Lamar Jackson didn't fair so well. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner only managed to score 13, a very low number that might well concern some teams that were considering spending a first round pick on him.
Whilst these scores aren't the be all and end all of a player, they do matter and Jackson already has various concerns surrounding his on field ability and decision making off the field.
On his 3 and out podcast, Middlekauff said of the former two-time ACC player of the year:
"Just because you score low, does not mean you’re going to be a bad player,” but he added that NFL teams would view his “concerning” score as an indictment on his “ability to take everything in and play the quarterback position at the NFL from a mental level.”
“People in the NFL were already questioning his ability,” Middlekauff said. “This is only going to make those questions become stronger.”
Whilst most top QB's in league history have performed at least decently, Hall of Famer Dan Marino only managed 16 and multiple time Pro Bowler Donovan McNabb scored just 14. And, some extremely high scorer's went on to have extremely underwhelming careers. Just ask Ryan Fitzpatrick and Greg Mcelroy who both got 48's but neither made a significant impact as a starter.
Peyton Manning scored 28, solid but not spectacular, as did Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. Aaron Rodgers got 35 and arguably the best of them all, Tom Brady, scored 33.
Of more recent draftees, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz scored 34 and 40 respectively, adding weight to the notion that the test does still matter when translating intelligence into the league.
At the end of the day, it's just another reason for teams to doubt Jackson, and that's the last thing he needs at this point.