Last year, it was medical questions surrounding Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith, as well as the last-minute bong video of Laremy Tunsil that was released minutes before the draft started. As the draft process rolls on this year, NFL teams are huddled up in their bunkers evaluating tape but also trying to finalize their medical and character grades on players coming off the combine.
Scouting is about identifying talent on the field and projecting success, but it's also about researching the person in the pads. NFL teams want to avoid the next Aaron Hernandez or Johnny Manziel and can't risk spending early picks and big money on injured players, which makes off-field grades as important as on-field grades.