In the NFL, games are often decided in inches and seconds. We analyze forty times, measure vertical jumps, and pour over film — all in search of the small edge that separates a starter from a backup, or a Pro Bowler from an average role player.

But what if some of the most important differences can’t be seen on film or measured in a weight room? What if the real separator is how an athlete thinks?

That’s the question behind a published study of the Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ) and its relationship to NFL performance. And the findings are clear: cognitive intelligence provides predictive power that traditional scouting can’t capture alone.

The Study

Researchers tested 146 NFL prospects who completed the AIQ at the 2015 and 2016 combines. The AIQ, built on the well-established Cattell-Horn-Carroll model of intelligence, measures four core areas of cognitive functioning:

• Visual Spatial Processing – how well a player interprets space, depth, and positioning

• Reaction Time – how quickly they process and respond to information

• Processing Speed – how efficiently they handle large amounts of information under time pressure

• Learning Efficiency – how effectively they absorb and apply new information

The study compared these results to real NFL outcomes — things like Career Approximate Value (CAV), games started, sacks, rushing yards, and receptions. Crucially, the researchers controlled for draft pick position first, then asked: does AIQ still explain performance once you account for how highly a player was drafted?

The answer: yes.

Key Findings

Cognitive skills add value beyond draft status

Draft position explains a lot — but not everything. When the AIQ was added to the model, it explained an extra 6% of variance in career value, for a total of about 17.5%. In other words, cognitive skills account for measurable differences in who thrives in the NFL, above and beyond what draft boards predict.

Reaction Time stands out

Across multiple positions, Reaction Time was the most consistent predictor. Faster processors posted higher career value, more tackles, more sacks, and more receptions. In a league where milliseconds matter, the ability to read and react faster is a true competitive advantage.

Position matters

The relevance of each cognitive trait shifts depending on role:

• Defensive Linemen: Reaction Time correlated strongly with sacks and tackles.

• Running Backs: Visual Spatial Processing linked to more rushing yards per game, highlighting the importance of field vision.

• Wide Receivers: Reaction Time explained additional variance in receptions, even after accounting for draft position.

Not every trait mattered equally everywhere, but the pattern is unmistakable: cognitive skills influence performance differently depending on what the role demands.

Not all results are intuitive — and that’s important

In some cases, learning efficiency or spatial processing showed weak or even negative correlations. That doesn’t mean they don’t matter — it reflects the complexity of football roles and the reality that context shapes how skills translate. The bigger picture remains: cognition belongs in the evaluation toolkit.

Why This Matters for Teams

What should coaches, scouts, and front offices take away?

1. Cognitive data isn’t redundant — it’s additive. The AIQ adds information you can’t get from film, combine drills, or draft order.

2. Reaction speed is a high-leverage trait. Across multiple positions, it consistently separated higher performers.

3. Profiles should be role-specific. What matters for a defensive lineman may not matter the same way for a running back or receiver. Teams should interpret AIQ scores in context.

4. Marginal gains decide outcomes. Even a few percentage points of predictive power can tilt the balance when careers — and championships — are on the line.

This research confirms that the mental game is the real game.

AIQ doesn’t replace scouting or analytics — it sharpens them. It explains why some late-round picks become stars, why some can’t-miss prospects struggle, and why the players who combine athletic gifts with elite cognitive skills often rise to the very top.

In a league obsessed with finding every possible edge, it’s time to measure what really matters: not just how fast an athlete runs, but how fast they think.

Ready to see how AIQ can give your team an edge?
Contact us today to learn how cognitive intelligence can become part of your evaluation and player development strategy.