The Grading Scale + Cade Klubnik Summer Report

Let’s Get on the Same Page Before Diving Into Prospects

Mar 2, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Scouts time the 40-yard dash during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Yes, it’s July, and the NFL is on summer break. I don’t blame you for wanting a break from football coverage, but I’m excited to grind through some film. Before I publish anything about the 2026 class, I want to explain my grading scale.

It’s very similar to the one I used in my final few seasons with the Browns. All players have a list of Physical Tools and Position Specifics graded 1-5 (5 being the best). The Physical Tools are the same for all positions except quarterbacks (I’ll get there later) and specialists (I won’t get there ever):

• Athleticism

• Quickness

• Speed

• Acceleration

• Strength

• Power

The 1-5 scale has corresponding words for each grade. I’ll occasionally mix a number into the reports, but I’ll typically use these words to describe a certain Physical Tool or Position Specific:

5. Excellent/Rare

4. Good/Above-Average

3. Average/Adequate

2. Marginal/Below-Average

1. Poor/Replacement Level

Position Specifics obviously vary.

Both groups are averaged, and those numbers are used to determine an overall grade. The scale has seven grades with a corresponding color:

1. BLUE — Difference Maker, Pro Bowl Player

2. RED — Impact Starter

3. GOLD — Capable Starter

4. BLACK — Role Player

5. GREEN — Backup

6. PURPLE — Practice Squad, Emergency Player

7. GRAY — Training Camp Player, Reject

The overall grade is what I think the prospect will become by the end of his second season in the NFL. This doesn’t mean the player will immediately walk into the NFL and be that grade. Kids are given less time to develop each year, but remember that I’m basing my final grade on what I think the player will become, not what he is when he enters the draft.

I will start with quarterbacks since they tend to move the needle most during this time of year, and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik will be my first report. Remember, these are summer reports based on last year’s film. They’ll still be projecting what the player will be after his second year in the NFL, but it should change once he gets another season under his belt.

Let’s get into it.