# Evaluating Talent Through Data: Organizing the Process with Markdown ![Evaluating Talent Through Data -](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ryYX7N3bex.png) Analyzing player talent in the modern football era demands more than just watching tape—it is about structuring information so that it becomes digestible, comparable, and actionable. Markdown, a plain text formatting syntax, can serve as an incredibly effective tool for building structured, consistent, and shareable scouting documents. Whether you are an NFL analyst, a scout, or a dedicated fan, Markdown allows you to evaluate physical metrics, performance data, and expert opinions with clarity and organization. This [workflow guides you through](https://hackmd.io/blog/2025/01/22/hackmd-obsidian-workflow?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=recent-posts) how to develop a Markdown-driven system to log observations, organize third-party evaluations, and benchmark against broader data expectations. Using Markdown for player profiles starts with structuring core biographical information. Creating a uniform format allows for quick comparison and reference. Profiles should begin with basic identifiers such as full name, birthdate, height, weight, and current team. Add draft status, alma mater, and current contract values to enhance depth. For example: ## Player: Garrett Wilson - Birthdate: July 22, 2000 - Height: 6’0” - Weight: 192 lbs - College: Ohio State - Drafted: 1st Round, 10th Overall, 2022 by NY Jets - Contract: 4 years, $20.55 million fully guaranteed With these fields laid out, analysts can quickly scan through critical personal data without rummaging through multiple platforms. Athletic metrics from the NFL Combine or Pro Days provide a quantifiable basis for evaluating player potential. Markdown allows you to consistently track results for vertical jump, 40-yard dash, 3-cone drill, bench press, and shuttle times. - 40-Yard Dash: 4.38 seconds - Vertical Jump: 36 inches - Broad Jump: 123 inches - 3-Cone Drill: 6.98 seconds - 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.13 seconds This structure creates a clean, standardized record that makes comparisons with historical or positional benchmarks simple and immediate. Documenting college production in Markdown lets you align performance with development. Statistics by year or overall average can be tracked to examine consistency, breakout age, or regression. - 2019: 30 receptions, 432 yards, 5 TDs - 2020: 43 receptions, 723 yards, 6 TDs - 2021: 70 receptions, 1,058 yards, 12 TDs Observing year-over-year growth gives deeper insight into player progression, especially when cross-referenced with quarterback changes, offensive coordinators, or team win-loss records. Markdown files can also be used to update a player's performance as they transition into the NFL. Snap counts, target shares, yards per route run, drop percentage, and YAC (Yards After Catch) can be tracked weekly or seasonally. - Games Played: 17 - Targets: 168 - Receptions: 95 - Receiving Yards: 1,042 - Touchdowns: 3 - Drop Rate: 4.8% - Yards/Route Run: 1.57 This kind of structure highlights efficiency metrics that are not always obvious from volume stats alone. Organizing your notes is just one part of the process — validating them against broader expectations can add clarity. A resource like this [NFL mock draft helps you](https://www.rotowire.com/football/mock-draft/) see how your talent evaluations line up with public projections. Including consensus evaluations, like Dane Brugler’s draft guides, The Draft Network profiles, or ESPN rankings, in your Markdown logs provides a check against bias or overly optimistic scouting. Evaluators can paste the projected round and average draft position (ADP) for perspective. - Average Draft Position: 11.3 - Projected Round: 1st - Actual Draft Spot: 10th Overall This reveals whether your evaluation is in sync or divergent from broader scouting communities. Copy-pasting and sourcing expert reports directly into a Markdown note allows users to keep valuable insights together. Always include attribution and date. "Garrett Wilson is a dynamic route-runner who thrives after the catch. His footwork, spatial awareness, and ability to sell vertical routes make him NFL-ready. Slight frame and occasional concentration drops are concerns." – The Athletic, Dane Brugler (March 2022) Stacking these insights beneath your own notes provides a layer of contrast, challenge, or reinforcement. Markdown supports bullet-point note-taking that makes film observations easier to recall and reformat. Use timestamps and opposing teams for reference. - 2Q 10:32 – Smooth release on slant, beats press - 3Q 02:45 – Double move for 25-yard gain, manipulated CB leverage well - Great sideline awareness on comeback routes Personal notes can be grouped by game or by trait (e.g., "Separation Techniques," "Contested Catches") for pattern recognition across multiple games. Logging contract information in Markdown documents provides economic context to performance and expectations. Recording guarantees, incentives, and per-year breakdowns gives a deeper view into team investment and cap allocation. - Duration: 4 years - Total Value: $20.55 million - Signing Bonus: $12.13 million - Guaranteed: 100% - 2023 Cap Hit: $5.13 million This becomes crucial in dynasty leagues, fantasy formats, or for salary cap analysis. Durability is a critical part of projecting long-term player success. Markdown logs can catalog injury type, games missed, and any repeated concerns. - 2020: Missed 1 game – concussion protocol - 2023: No missed games despite minor ankle sprain in Week 12 Tracking durability over time helps distinguish between fluke and pattern, and how it may impact draft capital or free agency value. Final Summary and Markdown’s Impact Markdown lets you conclude with a data-based summary that compiles all notes, stats, and outcomes. This recap can also integrate final player rankings and fit projections. - PFF Grade: 78.5 - Yards per Route Run: 1.57 - Drops: 8 - Fantasy PPR Ranking (WR): WR22 - QB Situation: Struggled with Zach Wilson’s inconsistency - Projected 2024 Role: WR1 with potential for 100+ catches if QB play improves These snapshots wrap your evaluations into a clean digestible final document for easy reference during trades, drafts, or debates. Markdown transforms scattered thoughts, stats, and expert opinions into a coherent system that supports smarter, evidence-driven analysis. By building repeatable templates and incorporating performance, financial, and medical insights into one source of truth, anyone—from fans to scouts—can speak confidently about a player’s value. The beauty of Markdown lies in its portability, its simplicity, and its flexibility to [grow with your evaluation process](https://www.nfl.com/combine/tracker/live-results/). In a field where the difference between boom and bust often lies in the details, Markdown helps you catch them all.