Should NFL Agents Let Players Take the Wonderlic?

Reports that LSU defensive back Morris Claiborne scored a 4 on the Wonderlic Test at the NFL Combine, raise the question of why an agent would let his client take the test, especially if the player is unlikely to score well. 

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has done an excellent job covering the issue.  Florio interviewed Jeff Foster, president of  National Scouting and the National Invitational Camp (commonly referred to as the NFL Combine), who points out that accommodations are made for players with learning disabilities and that taking the test is not mandatory.

Just as players prepare for the 40-yard dash, the shuttle run, vertical jump, positional drills and even team interviews, players should prepare for the Wonderlic.  If players struggle with the test, their agents should advise them to skip the test.

Of course, the issue of what value the Wonderlic provides is also an open question.  Tom Curran of CSNNE.com writes as follows:

I’m mystified at why there’s never been a groundswell of kids who follow the advice set forth by Florio (and Dan Patrick) to just say no to the Wonderlic. It’s like telling a lawyer he has to take the bar and bench 225 as many times as he can.

Florio also reports that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reiterated that certain information obtained for the NFL Draft, including Wonderlic results, is to be kept confidential.