Of Wonderlics and GMATs

NFL Average Wonderlic Scores by Position

Check this interesting graphical representation of the average NFL Wonderlic score by position. The Wonderlic test is basically the NFL’s version of the GMAT. A high Wonderlic score can improve a players draft stock and land them a large pay day just like a high GMAT score can help get you into the business school of your dreams. However, the GMAT isn’t the only factor an Adcom analyzes in your business school application and the Wonderlic isn’t the only factor an NFL team analyzes when making a draft pick. In fact, you could argue a lot of NFL teams ignore a player’s Wonderlic score. Vince Young reportedly scored a six (out of a possible fifty) on the Wonderlic in 2006 and was still drafted 3rd overall by the Tennessee Titans. The Titans obviously valued his experience and leadership ability over a simple score on a scantron. That was wise of them. Today, if the NFL held that draft again, Vince Young would be drafted first overall.

It’s interesting to note in the infographic that the faster position players, the wide receivers and defensive backs, have lower average Wonderlic scores than their teammates on the line. Perhaps brains and brawn are not mutually exclusive after all?

Source of Infographic: Ben Fry (via Richard Florida)