Psychological testing a big part of NFL draft evaluation

In the span of one week the Steelers played host to two of the more controversial prospects in this year’s draft. On Thursday, former Nebraska outside linebacker Randy Gregory, who failed a marijuana drug test at the NFL combine, visited with the coaches and staff. Last week, former Washington cornerback Marcus Peters, who was dismissed from the Huskies by coach Chris Petersen.

Every year, NFL teams remove players with character flaws from their draft boards. No matter how talented a player might be, the general manager and coaches decide that player simply is not worth the risk.

Some teams have already done that with Peters, according to Rob Rang of CBS Sports. It would not be surprising if others have done the same with Gregory.

The Steelers very well could do that for one or both after meeting with them, but the fact that they were brought in for visits indicates the coaches and team personnel wanted to investigate the players fully before making that decision. Or, for conspiracy theorists out there, it’s a smoke screen intended to throw off other teams that might want to draft those players. 

On these visits to team headquarters the players do not work out again. The coaches already have that information from the combine, pro days and private workouts. The players spend time at the team’s facility and get checked by team doctors again and many times meet with psychologists who administer their own tests.

Before selecting a player and investing millions of dollars into him, teams want to know everything about them. So in Gregory’s case, teams want to run personality tests to find out whether he might have traits that will lead to more bad decisions on his part. Remember, failing a drug test at the combine is a concern. Players know it’s coming. There are no surprises. 

Here are a couple of enlightening stories on the process teams use to find out more about players. The Wall Street Journal did this piece on former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez in 2013. The Star Ledger in New Jersey also did a story a few years back on the way the Giants evaluate prospects. And another one from Mike Chappell, who wrote this piece for the Indy Star back in 2006.  

Gregory and Peters are considered elite talents in this draft. Peters is regarded by as many as the most talented cornerback available. Gregory was being projected as a top 5 or 10 pick before the positive drug test.

Now teams like the Steelers might have an opportunity to draft them later in the first round. Based on conversations I’ve had with draft analysts both will be chosen in the first round despite their problems. Now it seems it’s only a matter of which teams are willing to take the gamble.

BELOW: Check out Episode 1 of the Post-Gazette’s Steel Castings podcast