The Wonderlic and Kenny Pickett

I’ve mentioned that I have concerns about Pickett’s well below average score of 17 on the Wonderlic test which indicates processing speed and diagnostic ability, but I’ve never wanted to make that test the end all, be all of predictive success. According to this particular study, the average median score for quarterbacks coming out is 27, well above Pickett’s score of 17. There have been quarterbacks with scores in the lower range who have been successful, Lamar Jackson, Terry Bradshaw and Dan Marino for instance, but they typically have a well above average physical trait like freakish mobility or other-worldly arm talent to compensate for below average intellectual ability. Pickett does not have above average physical traits to allow him to overcome below average football intelligence. When you couple that with the durability concerns, I’m becoming increasingly concerned that Pickett has what it takes to become the Steelers next guy and may just be a guy.

I’ve attached a link to a brief article about the study which is pretty interesting and shows a direct correlation to scoring lower on the Wonderlic to lower passing yards and TD passes. It’s a little dated, but still applicable. What we’ve seen from Pickett so far seems to be consistent with the study given his pedestrian passing yards and historically low passing TDs. Rudolph’s Wonderlic score was 28 by the way, slightly above average.

http://www.advancedfootballanalytics.com/2008/05/do-wonderlic-tests-predict-qb.html#:~:text=Quarterbacks with above median intelligence,Corporation, an employee testing company.

 

He’s got it!

 

Thanks for your input.

 

The S2 Scores are the ones that people like to discuss nowadays.


As for the scores themselves?! As of 2023 per this article here, 15 teams use this metric; the Panthers being the highlight of this list. Finding out what Kenny's S2 score is would be a bit more up to date that the Wonderlic for, as the OP said, is a bit dated.

 

Poor guy doesn’t like his own words

 

I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to say. Any thoughts on the article and I would be interested in your opinion on whether or not you think there’s any validity to it. Seems to be valid from my perspective but I know others will have varying opinions.

 

You’re like 3 months behind on the bigk wonderlic scores topic

 

I think I may have brought the topic up before actually, but I was interested in whether or not there was any correlation between the Wonderlic score and NFL success. I thought this article/study was pretty interesting and thought I’d share it and get others’ thoughts. Sorry, probably should have checked with you first.

 

In other words, Pickett could be dumb and has hard time processing information. Some wonderlic scores below
Rothlisberger - 25
Josh Dobbs 29
Vince Young 6
Minshew 42
Ryan Fitzpatrick 48
Brady 33
Eli Manning 39
Steve Young 33
Mahomes 24
Josh Allen 37
Deshaun Watson 20
Cam Newton 21

Leveon Bell had the same wonderlic score as Pickett at 17. Even Michael Vick and RG3 had a wonderlic score of 20. It seems a score above 24, it doesn't correlate with amount of success, but below 24 you won't be good unless you got some talent to compensate. Pickett doesn't have any extra talent to compensate for his low score...and it has shown in his play.

 

intelligence isa overrated

 

Issa says

 

Apparently

 

For a historical perspective, someone should check out Marino's wonderlic score

 

CJ Stroud bombed the S2 (18th percentile). Purdy did well on S2 (90+ percentile.

 

It was 15, worse than Pickett’s. But Marino had other-worldly arm talent which was a mitigating factor to what may have been his below average football intellect. But Marino is a pretty good case study which should provide a little hope for Pickett. I always felt that Marino was a pretty savvy quarterback and exceptional leader so maybe Kenny can develop into that over time.

 

True.


Only reason I mentioned the S2 is that said metric is the current one is being used. No metric though can accurately predict NFL Success for any NFL Player; much less QB.

 

Interestingly enough, Stroud scored an 18 on the Wonderlic, higher than Pickett.

 

Marino also had one of the greatest ever All Time Offensive Minds in Don Shula; something Kenny clearly doesn't have or comically close to. A final evaluation of Kenny at this point is silly for QBs develop differently due to a myriad of factors; coaching being either at the top or close to it. Not every Rookie QB is going to light up the NFL a la Justin Herbert, CJ Stroud or even Brock Purdy. This all said, Kenny's first two seasons still leave a lot to be desired; doubly so in his second.


I do know one thing, Kenny, for his sake, better put it all on the line in 2024 as this is likely the last straw. For that matter, I'd imagine the team does draft a QB. This will be a surprise to some but keep an eye on Tennessee QB Joe Milton III. He does need some serious coaching up but the tools are definitely there for him to develop into something. Sky is the limit for him but the finite details need a lot of work.

 

If we don't massively improve our OL it wont make a difference. If we do some patchwork job by drafting later rounds and get an average free agent signing then I think he struggles again. We need a great O Line at all costs!!

 

Bradshaw called his own plays so he obviously was football smart and had a good feel for the game. He also had a cannon for a right arm so that allows you to get away with a few mental breakdowns on occasion.

 

What?! You don’t have Canada and/or Tomlin on par with Shula when it comes to offensive genius?

 

'Course not!!!

 

Old news

 

Different game back then too. Bradshaw averaged like 18 passing attempts a game.