Ranking NFL draft classes by RAS score: Most athletic 2023 groups from best (Jets) to worst (Vikings)

There are so many variables that come into play when teams are evaluating which draft picks to make. But typically, when teams are evaluating players, there are two characteristics that stand out the most: polish and athleticism.

A player can be an exceptional football player by having proper instincts like route-running, footwork or downfield vision to make up for a lack of natural size, speed or strength. Others rely on their natural talents to overcome raw aspects of their game in other areas. A rare few combine everything — and typically wind up being the first players off the board.

It's nearly impossible to come up for an objective way of measuring how polished a player is, but looking at the most athletic players is a bit easier, in large part to RAS.

MORE: 2023 NFL Draft grades

The Sporting News is looking at the draft classes with the highest average RAS to determine which classes were the most athletic. Some players did not test, and thus do not have a score. Those were not factored into the average.

What is RAS in the NFL? 

Relative Athletic Score, better known as RAS, was created by Kent Lee Platte as a way of taking measurables from the combine and comparing them historically to the positions of the player to determine how athletic they are compared to others at the spot.

It uses largely combine measurables like 40 times, shuttles, 3-cones, verticals, bench presses and broad jumps, among others, along with a player's listed height and weight. Those measurements are then evaluated with a player's position and graded on a scale of 0 to 10. For example, a 4.5 second 40 time might not be great for a wide receiver, but it would be exceptional for a lineman or quarterback.

To be clear, these scores are not always indicative of talent. Don't mistake someone "bringing down the average" as being a bad player. Tom Brady had a RAS of 2.74 in his class. Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins was at just 5.11 compared to contemporaries. Both test much lower all-time when including players from today.

Ranking 2023 NFL draft classes by RAS score

1. New York Jets

Average score: 9.64

There were only five players in the 2023 draft class with a perfect 10 grade, and it's no surprise that the Jets landing one of them helped New York top the field. Zack Kuntz and Jarrick Bernard-Converse — both drafted in the later rounds — were the most athletic picks for the Jets in a group that featured two players without measurements and the rest having no lower than 9.12.

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2. Indianapolis Colts

Average score: 9.48

The Colts could have a legitimate case for having the most athletic class in the field considering that all 12 of their draftees had scores and they still ranked up this high. It's hard to argue with the crown jewel of this athletic class being Florida star Anthony Richardson, regarded by many as the most athletic QB prospect of all time, but don't sleep on Julius Brents, who just missed out on having a 10 grade.

MORE: Grading NFL QB moves ahead of 2023

3. New Orleans Saints

Average score: 9.44

A.T. Perry was expected to go much earlier in the draft, but wound up slipping to the third day. The Saints landed him with their final pick to cap off what proved to be an athletic class that started with a pair of dynamic defensive linemen in Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey. Only two players from the Saints' class didn't test.

4. Denver Broncos

Average score: 9.35

Denver might be benefitting a bit here from a small sample size. Only three of the Broncos' five draft picks tested, and since all three were above 8.97 in RAS, the class gets to benefit with a high average. But those three picks all stand out, as Marvin Mims Jr. was a late riser on draft boards, Drew Sanders was considered by many to be the top linebacker and Riley Moss had a phenomenal combine.

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5. Pittsburgh Steelers

Average score: 9.26

The Steelers were the beneficiary of two standout athletes slipping down draft boards as Joey Porter Jr. reached the top of the second round and Darnell Washington fell to the third. Even Pittsburgh's seventh-round picks — Cory Trice Jr. and Spencer Anderson — tested extremely well to help make this a well-rounded class.

MORE: Steelers, Eagles among 2023 NFL Draft winners

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Average score: 9.11

The rave reviews for the Eagles' class continue as, unsurprisingly, their haul from the weekend tested extremely well. Kelee Ringo graded as the least athletic player in this group, which is a testament to the rest of the players Philadelphia selected. The Eagles' third-round picks Sydney Brown and Tyler Steen lead off a class that could have ranked higher had Jalen Carter tested.

7. Washington Commanders

Average score: 8.96

Washington is giving Sam Howell some athletic offensive linemen in a pivotal season for the second-year quarterback looking to prove himself. Ricky Stromberg and Braeden Daniels were among the most athletic offensive linemen in the field. Grabbing the play-making Emmanuel Forbes in the first round and Jartavius Martin in the second added some serious juice to the secondary.

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8. Tennessee Titans

Average score: 8.92

Tennessee took its new quarterback in the second round of the draft, and it worked to surround him with some talent with the rest of the picks. Two of the Titans' last three picks also were two of their best by RAS with only first-round selection Peter Skoronski breaking into the mix. Tyjae Spears' size might be the biggest thing holding him back from testing higher than a 7.51.

MORE: Best value picks from the 2023 NFL Draft

9. Baltimore Ravens

Average score: 8.91

There's no doubt the Ravens got one of the steals of the draft with Trenton Simpson falling to them in the third round, and his RAS score makes clear the upside he brings to Maryland. The rest of Baltimore's class lacks the true explosive talent, but is also consistent across the board with the rest falling between 8.29 and 8.88 in scores.

10. Chicago Bears

Average score: 8.87

The Broncos benefitted from a small sample size. This is where the larger sample size can pull a team down. Chicago added some athleticism to its trenches in Darnell Wright on the O-line, and Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens on the interior of the defensive line. Seven players tested in the 8s range, which still makes for an athletic group, but it does bring down the overall average.

11. Cincinnati Bengals

Average score: 8.77

The Bengals clearly were on the hunt for athletic talent throughout the draft, and they struck gold early with first-round selection Myles Murphy and second-round speedster DJ Turner II. Cincinnati also had a big Day 3 with Chase Brown and former track star Andrei Iosivas. Jordan Battle brings the average well down at 5.9 — dropping his score makes this the No. 6 class in the NFL.

12. Green Bay Packers

Average score: 8.65

Another class where the average is brought down by a player in the 5s, Green Bay would rank eighth without the 5.88 score of Karl Brooks, and even the 6.74 mark by Jayden Reed doesn't help. It's always a good sign for a team, however, when three of its top four picks are also three of the most athletic players at their respective positions, which is the case with tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft and defensive end Lukas Van Ness. Carrington Valentine falling to the seventh round was another gift for this class.

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13. Arizona Cardinals

Average score: 8.51

Four players testing in the nines is a huge boost to Arizona's draft class as Day 3 wound up netting the Cardinals several athletic standouts, led by guard Jon Gaines II and quarterback Clayton Tune. Second-rounder B.J. Ojulari's 4.93 RAS brings the average down a bit, and two other early picks in Paris Johnson Jr. and Garrett Williams didn't test.

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14. New England Patriots

Average score: 8.47

The Patriots probably couldn't have called in their No. 17 pick in any faster when star Oregon corner Christian Gonzalez slipped to them. One of the most athletic corners in the draft, he is the star of this class that featured four players above a 9.4 grade. A disappointing combine from Kayshon Boutte might have been a difference-maker in this class ranking considerably higher.

15. Carolina Panthers

Average score: 8.46

The Panthers wound up with a smaller draft class after trading up to land Bryce Young, who did not test at the combine. Ole Miss wideout Jonathan Mingo is one of the most athletic receivers in the class and Chandler Zavala stood out at guard, but Jammie Robinson's 6.07 score lowers the average to just below 8.5.

16. Miami Dolphins

Average score: 8.31

Fans of the draft might be surprised to see Devon Achane testing as low as he did as he posted a blazing 4.32 40, but this is a case where his size (5-8, 188 pounds) and other measurables bring down his score a bit. The rest of this class is loaded with athleticism, starting with South Carolina corner Cam Smith. Achane was the only player below an 8.9.

17. Los Angeles Rams

Average score: 8.09

The Rams loaded up in the draft, which is a big reason why they find themselves in the middle of the field. Los Angeles selected 14 players, and a trio of defensive players are bringing the athleticism in Nick Hampton, Byron Young and Jason Taylor II. Three players below an average score of eight led this one to settle in the middle of the league.

MORE: Meet 2023's Mr. Irrelevant

18. Kansas City Chiefs

Average score: 8.06

The reigning Super Bowl champions looked to make their defense more athletic in the middle rounds of the draft with fourth- and fifth-round picks Chamarri Conner and B.J. Thompson finishing just behind receiver Rashee Rice as the players with a score above 9 in their class. The bottom two scores both below 6.5 lowered the average of a group that featured five players above an 8.3.

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19. New York Giants

Average score: 7.86

The Giants joined the Jets and the Colts as the only team to draft a player with a RAS of 10 when it traded up to land Maryland corner Deonte Banks. He and Tre Hawkins and Gervarrius Owens give New York plenty of athletic members of the secondary. 

20. Cleveland Browns

Average score: 7.81

The Browns added to a bit of everything during the draft. They added some athletic defensive line talent in Isaiah McGuire, a high-testing center in Luke Wypler and two more players above an 8.6 in Cameron Mitchell at corner and receiver Cedric Tillman. Siaki Ika's 2.75 score is the only one below a 7.7. Without that, this class ranks in the top 10.

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21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Average score: 7.72

Tampa Bay saw every player it drafted test in the combine, and three of them tested extremely well, with three linemen — Yaya Diaby and Calijah Kancey on defense and Cody Mauch on offense — all grading above a 9.3. Perhaps that's why they were the first three off the board for the Buccaneers. The later picks lacked those lofty athleticism scores, with none of the others coming in above 7.3.

22. Buffalo Bills

Average score: 7.68

Buffalo's class lacks some of the variance of the others at this range. Dorian Williams' 8.81 is the highest grade and O'Cyrus Torrence's 6.14 is the lowest, giving Buffalo a tight grouping of scores that led to the average of 7.68. Dalton Kincaid might have brought up the average had he tested.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars

Average score: 7.67

Like the Rams, the Jaguars had a loaded draft class that resulted in the overall average coming down a bit. Three players taken graded above a 9, led by Louisville linebacker Yasir Abdullah and his 9.63 score. Five players ranked between 7.4 and 8.5, while three were below and three were above.

MORE: Antonio Johnson a late-round steal for Jaguars

24. Los Angeles Chargers

Average score: 7.59

Scott Matlock's selection in the sixth round proved to be by far the most athletic pick of the Chargers' 2023 class, with his 9.66 score coming in 0.97 ahead of first-round selection Quentin Johnston. The Horned Frogs filled up the rest of Los Angeles' board, with Johnston's teammate Derius Davis coming in with the lowest score of 4.29.

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25. Atlanta Falcons

Average score: 7.54

It comes as a surprise to exactly no one that Bijan Robinson tested extremely well with an RAS of 9.85, far and away leading the rest of the Falcons' 2023 class. Matthew Bergeron and Zach Harrison gave Atlanta a well-rounded trio in the trenches, but two players checking in below a 6 brought down the average to the 7.5 range.

26. Seattle Seahawks

Average score: 7.41

The Seahawks' 2023 class is truly a mixed bag. It is the only one with two players above a 9 and two players below a 5. Guard Anthony Bradford had a standout score of 9.81, while Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh had the lowest at 4.09. It's largely the group in the middle that wind up settling this average at 7.41.

27. Houston Texans

Average score: 7.25

Perhaps the polar opposite of Seattle's class, Houston's 2023 group of fresh faces all find themselves roughly in the same range. Brandon Hill had the highest score at 8.55, while Tank Dell was the lowest at 5.82, leading to little variance among the scores. The Texans' top two selections in the draft — C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson — did not test at the combine.

28.  Detroit Lions

Average score: 7.09

The Hawkeyes are keeping the Lions' score from dipping too low. Jack Campbell and Sam LaPorta, two of Detroit's top three picks, were also among the most athletic at their positions, with Campbell ranking as the No. 1 linebacker. Brodric Martin, the standout defensive tackle at Western Kentucky, tested as the lowest player selected in the draft at 2.14.

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29. Dallas Cowboys

Average score: 7.07

Luke Schoonmaker leads Dallas' draft class in RAS by a huge margin at 9.86, with Southern Mississippi corner Eric Scott's 8.69 coming in 1.17 away from the Michigan tight end. Only one other team had more players test below a 6 than Dallas' three, including Deuce Vaughn, whose score is largely brought down by his size (5-5, 179 pounds).

30. Las Vegas Raiders

Average score: 6.91

The Raiders might have been a bit higher if standout EDGE Tyree Wilson had tested as he would have added to Jakorian Bennett and Amari Burney, who each graded above a 9. After Burney, there was a bit of a drop from 9.19 to Michael Mayer's 7.66. Georgia safety Christopher Smith's 2.93 also lowers the Raiders' score considerably.

MORE: How 'Brock Purdy Effect' led to record run of late-round QBs

31. San Francisco 49ers

Average score: 6.38

San Francisco's second pick of the NFL draft was a kicker, which might tell you all you need to know about its class. Darrell Luter Jr. and Ronnie Bell both tested above an 8, but four players tested below a 6, which would certainly bring the 49ers' average down a bit. The kicker, Jake Moody, for his part, didn't test.

32. Minnesota Vikings

Average score: 6.35

The Vikings take the bottom spot fairly comfortably. They were the only team without a player with a score at 8 or above, and they also had only six total draft picks (just five of whom tested). BYU quarterback Jaren Hall had the best score at 7.96, while LSU defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy came in at just 3.72.