Here's how cutting-edge cognitive tests are influencing Houston Texans, NFL Draft
A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH
23 April 2023
A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH
The process of drafting a quarterback has become more sophisticated as the years have gone by. Watching the game film and doing interviews are still an important part of the process.
But cognitive tests by NFL teams have almost replaced the importance of the Wonderlic, according to some evaluators. Either way, these test have become a big piece of the puzzle for many NFL teams. In fact, quarterbacks that have performed well on the S2 have seen success in the NFL. Joe Burrow and Josh Allen are two examples.
The S2 Cognition test has been the topic of many draft conversations recently. This test is designed to gauge a person's data processing rate. Texans GM Nick Caserio was asked this week if the team subscribes to S2's Cognition test. Caseiro said the team does not use S2, but they do use cognition tests as part of their evaluation process.
With this is mind, some S2 results for the top QB prospects have been revealed on the internet.
S2 Cognition test results per @BobMcGinn:
Bryce Young - 98%
Jake Haener - 96%
Will Levis - 93%
Jaren Hall - 93%
Clayton Tune - 84%
Anthony Richardson - 79%
Hendon Hooker - 46%
CJ Stroud - 18%
— Shane P. Hallam (@ShanePHallam) April 21, 2023
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss how high scores on the S2 could impact Will Levis, Anthony Richardson, and some of the other prospects that reportedly performed well.
Plus, if these results could influence how the Texans approach the NFL Draft.
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The New York Jets interviewed Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik for their head coach position Thursday.
The meetings with Smith and Slowik gave the Jets 12 known candidates with whom they've spoken about their vacancy.
New York has also interviewed Aaron Glenn, Vance Joseph, Mike Locksley, Matt Nagy, Ron Rivera, Darren Rizzi, Rex Ryan, Steve Spagnuolo, Jeff Ulbrich and Mike Vrabel for the job. Vrabel has since been hired by New England as its coach.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley are also expected to meet soon with the Jets.
The 42-year-old Smith, who was the Atlanta Falcons' head coach from 2021-23, was considered one of the Jets' top candidates in 2021 when he interviewed with the team before New York hired Robert Saleh. Smith was hired by the Falcons the next day and went 21-30, with three straight 7-10 finishes, before being fired after the 2023 season.
Mike Tomlin hired Smith last offseason to run the Steelers' offense, which improved in several categories this season with Russell Wilson at quarterback as Pittsburgh made the playoffs.
Smith spent 10 years with Tennessee, including the last two as the Titans' offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020. He previously had a stint with Washington as its defensive quality control coach in between college stops at North Carolina (2006) and Mississippi (2010).
The 37-year-old Slowik met with the Jets in a video interview since the Texans remain in the playoffs and are preparing to face the Chiefs in Kansas City on Saturday.
He's in his second year running the Texans' offense with quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was last season's AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and has been one of the league's most dynamic young playmakers.
Slowik, whose father Bob coaches in the CFL after several years as an NFL assistant, spent six years as an assistant under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco before joining the Texans. The Princeton, New Jersey, native started his pro coaching career as a video assistant for Washington in 2010 before being promoted to defensive assistant, a role he held for three years. Slowik then worked at Pro Football Focus as a senior analyst for three years before being hired by the 49ers.
The Jets are also conducting an extensive search for a new general manager. They have interviewed 15 candidates for that position, including Green Bay Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan and Miami Dolphins assistant general manager Brian Gaine on Tuesday.