With the 2025 NFL Combine here, we will be hearing and seeing a lot about Relative Athletic Scores (RAS) in the coming days and weeks. So, how does that pertain to the Indianapolis Colts and GM Chris Ballard?
First, let’s start with what RAS is. This metric was developed by Kent Lee Platte and allows us to compare the athleticism of players within their respective position groups.
The RAS formula takes into account the player’s height and weight measurements, along with how they perform on the field, and turns all of that info into an easily digestible figure that falls on a 0-10 scale. In short, the higher the RAS, the better the athlete.
This RAS scale does factor in historical results and is not only based on the current year’s draft class. It is also important to note that it is position-specific, so a guard and a cornerback can have the same RAS because it is relative to the position group.
For more on RAS, click here.
Now, as it pertains to the Colts, there was a sharp uptick in the average RAS of Indianapolis’ selections under Ballard during the 2022 and 2023 drafts.
From 2017 through 2021, the average RAS for a Colts’ draft pick was 7.8. But from 2022 to 2023, that sky-rocketed to 9.56, which the lowest registered RAS during that two year span being 8.48.
Over those two years, Ballard had constructed two of the most athletic draft classes in football.
Last year’s class was a bit more toward center compared to those two stints above but was still on the side of being a more athletic group. Of Ballard’s nine picks in 2024, six scored above 8.0, including four who were above the elite 9.0 mark.
The disclaimer to all of this is that when it comes to player evaluation, this is one tool in the tool belt–the tape is still the ultimate evaluator. And, no, I don’t believe Ballard and the Colts’ scouting department are pouring over RAS cards.
However, over the last three years, there is certainly a connection between prospects with a high RAS and who the Colts may have an interest in, potentially providing us with insight into who may be on their radar.
Below you can find a position-by-position RAS for each pick during Ballard’s tenure:
Quarterback
Anthony Richardson: 10.00
Sam Ehlinger: 6.79
Jacob Eason: 3.44
Running back
Jonathan Taylor: 9.53
Evan Hull: 9.33
Marlon Mack: 8.78
Jordan Wilkins: 7.74
Nyheim Hines: 5.68
Wide receiver
AD Mitchell: 9.99
Alec Pierce: 9.83
Parris Campbell: 9.76
Michael Strachan: 9.22
Josh Downs: 8.99
Anthony Gould: 8.87
Dezmon Patmon: 8.46
Daurice Fountain: 7.98
Michael Pittman: 8.27
Deon Cain: 6.47
Tight end
Jelani Woods: 10.00
Andrew Ogletree: 9.34
Will Mallory: 9.05
Kylen Granson: 7.72
Offensive line
Bernhard Raimann: 9.88
Blake Freeland: 9.84
Jake Witt: 9.80
Braden Smith: 9.33
Jackson Barton: 8.25
Matt Goncalves: 7.69
Zach Banner: 1.42
Tanor Bortolini: 9.77
Quenton Nelson: 9.68
Danny Pinter: 9.61
Will Fries: 9.15
Javon Patterson: 7.22
Defensive line
Ben Banogu: 9.70
Tyquan Lewis: 9.53
Kwity Paye: 9.34
Laiatu Latu: 9.37
Titus Leo: 8.48
Tarell Basham: 8.20
Kemoko Turay: 8.27
Adetomiwa Adebawore: 9.72
Jonah Laulu: 9.62
Curtis Brooks: 9.51
Eric Johnson: 9.39
Robert Windsor: 8.68
Grover Stewart: 7.79
Linebacker
Zaire Franklin: 9.64
EJ Speed: 9.18
Bobby Okereke: 8.40
Gerri Green: 8.08
Jaylon Carlies: 7.40
Matthew Adams: 7.20
Anthony Walker: 6.74
Darius Leonard: 4.80
Cornerback
JuJu Brents: 9.99
Darius Rush: 9.80
Jaylon Jones: 8.79
Jaylin Simpson: 8.26
Quincy Wilson: 7.35
Rock Ya-Sin: 6.16
Nate Hairston: 5.35
Micah Abraham: 3.70
Safety
Daniel Scott: 9.94
Nick Cross: 9.87
Rodney Thomas: 9.24
Marvell Tell: 9.29
Khari Willis: 6.39