There’s a lot of discussion about “S2” scores as it relates to quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Not that I doubt the reporting of Bob McGinn. But it’s important to know the context of those scores (or rather percentiles) that have been reported.
The S2 has multiple sections. Nine in fact. So the question I have to ask immediately is are these composite scores? Scores from one section? Highest and lowest?
The S2 has a limited data set with regard to NFL application. But thus far it’s a “threshold,” meaning that scoring high doesn’t guarantee success while scoring low has all but cemented failure thus far.
Reported S2 scores for 2023 NFL Draft quarterbacks
- Bryce Young: 98th percentile
- Jake Haener: 96th percentile
- Will Levis: 93rd percentile
- Jared Hall: 93rd percentile
- Clayton Tune: 84th percentile
- Anthony Richardson: 79th percentile
- Hendon Hooker: 46th percentile
- CJ Stroud: 18th percentile
Without the full context, what are we looking at here? It’s not like the Wonderlic where one number was easily contextualized. Though, the Wonderlic had its own issues in that it provided zero correlation to NFL success.
Wonderlic scores for 2022 NFL Draft quarterbacks
- Bailey Zappe: 35
- Sam Howell: 34
- Malik Willis: 32
- Jack Coan: 28
- Brock Purdy: 23
- Carson Strong: 22
- Desmond Ridder: 19
- Skylar Thompson: 17
- Kenny Pickett: 17
- Matt Corral: 15
It’s interesting that Brock Purdy, who had an extremely high S2 score, finished with a below average Wonderlic score.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated 2023 NFL mock draft
Trey Lance trade talks & other NFL Draft rumors
Speaking of Brock Purdy, his San Francisco 49ers teammate Trey Lance has been the subject of much speculation this week. According to a source I spoke with, the 49ers are not actively shopping Lance. “But you always listen to these types of calls,” the source said.
It appears that teams have sensed an opportunity to try to acquire him “on the cheap.” Thus far, the 49ers haven’t been interested in simply giving Lance away.
- The Seattle Seahawks seem to be going out of their way to encourage media to think they will be selecting embattled Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter fifth overall.
- Arizona unveiled new uniforms this week. I liked them, but they likely represent one of the few bright spots about this team in 2023. The Cardinals are clearly in a sand-it-down rebuild and have been as vocal as any team in recent memory about wanting to move down from three. I do know they like edge rusher Tyree Wilson and cornerback Christian Gonzalez quite a bit.
Related: Sportsnaut’s 2023 NFL Draft big board
- The Dallas Cowboys are rumored to be very keen on tight end Michael Mayer out of Notre Dame.
- The Atlanta Falcons (despite Bijan Robinson rumors) have been heavily invested in scouting the cornerback position. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them add one with their first pick.
- The Tennessee Titans could possibly be lurking if Will Levis slips to 11th overall. Ryan Tannehill is on the backside of his career and Malik Willis hasn’t shown the staff enough for them to believe he’s the quarterback of the future.
- The Minnesota Vikings are another team lurking on quarterbacks. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a move up from 23 if either Levis or Anthony Richardson is within striking distance.
- According to multiple scouts I spoke with, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the only wide receiver expected to be selected in the first round. There’s a possibility someone selects Jordan Addison earlier than expected. But it looks like wide receiver will be a Day 2 or 3 proposition for a lot of teams.
Related: Ranking the top wide receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft
- One team looking to add at wide receiver is the Denver Broncos. They’ve done extensive work on the tight end position. But sources tell me if a burner like Arkansas wide receiver Matt Landers or Trey Palmer from Nebraska fell far enough, the Broncos would be very interested.
- I was told Friday of interest from the Indianapolis Colts in recently-released former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Casey Hayward.
- Rumors of some off-field concerns may have Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright slipping a little in the draft. Wright is considered by many to be the best offensive line talent in the draft. It will be interesting to see how far that slide is on draft day.
- Bijan Robinson has been projected by some as high as the Atlanta Falcons at eight. But I think he’s going to go later than people imagine. I wouldn’t be surprised if he fell all the way to the Detroit Lions at 18. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles took him at 10.
- When I asked a former NFL head of collegiate scouting what the most common mistake being made in mock drafts right now, the response was interesting. “You’re all underrating Nolan Smith.” It’s interesting considering I believe most have Smith as the No. 3 EDGE in the class.
For those interested in my yearly mock draft, I will be posting it right here at Sportsnaut next Wednesday morning, so stay tuned.