Relative Athletic Score (RAS) Explained

What Is Relative Athletic Score?

Relative Athletic Score — commonly called RAS — is a metric created by analyst Kent Lee Platte that converts NFL combine and pro day measurements into a single score on a scale of 0 to 10. The key word is relative: every measurement is graded not against all players in the league, but specifically against historical data for players at that same position.

This matters enormously. A 4.55 forty-yard dash is below average for a wide receiver but exceptional for a linebacker. A 6'5" frame is ideal for an offensive tackle but undersized for a center. RAS accounts for these positional differences by comparing each measurement to what's historically been recorded at that specific spot on the field.

A RAS of 10.00 means you posted the best athletic profile ever recorded for your position. A RAS of 5.00 is exactly average for your position historically. A RAS of 0.00 means historically poor athleticism at that spot.

How RAS Is Calculated

RAS pulls from up to ten combine and pro day measurements and organizes them into four categories:

Each individual measurement is converted to a score between 0 and 10 based on where it falls in the historical distribution for that position. Those individual scores are then averaged — weighted by category — into the final composite RAS.

Missing measurements don't automatically tank a score. If a player skips the bench press, RAS uses only the available data. However, players who skip multiple tests have less reliable scores because fewer data points are available. This is why some analysts prefer to look at individual category scores rather than the composite when key measurements are missing.

The RAS Scale — What Scores Mean

It's worth noting that the distribution of RAS scores is not uniform. Most NFL draft prospects cluster in the 4.0 to 7.0 range — the extremes on both ends are relatively rare. A score above 8.5 genuinely represents a rare physical profile at that position.

RAS by Position — What to Look For

Each position prioritizes different physical attributes, which means the most important sub-scores within RAS vary by where a player lines up. Here's what matters most and what average and elite RAS looks like at each position.

Notable High and Low RAS Scores in NFL History

Elite RAS Scores

Famous Low RAS Scores

Does RAS Actually Predict NFL Success?

This is the most important question — and the answer is nuanced.

Where RAS Is Most Predictive

• Wide Receiver and Cornerback — these are the positions where athleticism most directly translates to on-field performance. High-RAS WRs and CBs have meaningfully better career outcomes on average than low-RAS players at the same positions.
• Edge Rusher / Defensive End — speed off the edge translates directly to pass rush production. RAS is a reasonable predictor of pass rush potential.
• First-round picks — among players drafted highly, RAS helps differentiate athletes who were drafted on physical upside from those whose production earned the pick.

Where RAS Is Least Predictive

• Quarterback — as Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and countless others prove, QB success is overwhelmingly determined by skill, intelligence, and leadership rather than athleticism.
• Offensive Line — technique, football IQ, and hand usage matter far more than athletic testing for linemen. Many great offensive linemen are mediocre athletes by RAS standards.
• Late-round picks — players drafted in rounds 4–7 often succeed through skill, work ethic, and football-specific abilities that RAS doesn't capture.

How to Use RAS as a Draft Tool

The most sophisticated way to use RAS in draft evaluation is as a floor indicator rather than a ceiling predictor. Here's what that means in practice:

High RAS + high production = strong prospect. When a player has elite athleticism AND elite college production, the combination is genuinely predictive. The physical tools are verified and so is the ability to use them.

High RAS + low production = boom-or-bust. A physically gifted player who didn't produce in college may have untapped potential — or may simply lack the football skills to translate athleticism into results. These are the players who "look the part" but carry significant risk.

Low RAS + high production = underrated. Players who beat their athletic profile are often the ones who succeed through superior technique and football intelligence. These prospects are frequently undervalued in draft circles that over-weight combine results.

Low RAS + low production = avoid. Players with neither athletic tools nor college production have very little going for them at the next level.

RAS vs Other Draft Metrics

RAS is not the only athleticism metric used in NFL draft analysis. Here's how it compares to other commonly referenced tools:

RAS is generally preferred by analysts because it's the most comprehensive single number that accounts for positional context. Its main limitation — that it says nothing about football skill — is a feature, not a bug. It's designed to answer one specific question: how does this player's physical profile compare to others who have played this position?

Frequently Asked Questions