How We Grade
Film first. Always.
Every ranking on BIP's List is backed by full All-22 film, scout peer review, and a 1–5 star rating tied to a 0–99 Bips grade. No box scores. No recruiting hype. No highlight reels. If we haven't watched the tape, the player isn't ranked.
How a ranking gets on the board
Tape over narrative
BIP's List is a film-based player evaluation and ranking platform built by scouts with real football playing and coaching experience. Our rankings are not driven by box scores, recruiting stars, or highlight clips — every player we rank is evaluated on full game film.
Peer review & film requirement
Every player ranking on BIP's List goes through full All-22 film evaluation, internal peer review, and consensus-based grading. If we haven't watched the film, the player is not ranked. Each game watched is listed on the scouting report for full transparency on what was watched and by whom.
Grades are position-specific
Though we publish an Overall Ranking, grades are position-specific. Players are only comparable within their position group — an 85 BIP Grade quarterback is not directly comparable to a 92 BIP Grade offensive tackle. Each position has different responsibilities, traits, and grading criteria.
Star rating
Each player carries a 1–5 star rating assigned by the scout who graded their film. The stars are paired with a 0–99 Bips grade built from six position-specific trait scores, each weighted by how that trait historically translates to NFL production.
5-Star
90–99
Typical Grade
Day-1 NFL contributor
The film projects to an NFL role without leaning on athletic-testing assumptions. Plus-trait in at least one headline axis. This tier stays empty if no player earns it.
4-Star
85–89
Typical Grade
Starter projection
Tape projects to a starting role at the next level inside their archetype's rotation. At least one defensible plus-trait, no killer red flag.
3-Star
70–84
Typical Grade
Rotational / depth
Roster-cut survivor. Tape says the player can hold a special-teams or rotational role. Upside is bounded but the floor is real.
2-Star
60–69
Typical Grade
Developmental
Traits-over-tape. Something on the film is interesting enough to follow — frame, burst, ball skills — but the projection requires belief.
1-Star
< 60
Typical Grade
Unproven on tape
Reserved for players whose film doesn't currently support a next-level projection. Used sparingly.
Stars reflect the scout's final call; grade ranges are typical and can overlap at the margins — scouts may weight a trait heavier than the band suggests.
Trait glossary
A subset of the trait axes. Every position group has six axes, weighted by NFL translation evidence. The full rubric lives in the scout handbook.
Arm Strength
QBVelocity into tight windows; sideline / opposite-hash throws.
Pocket Presence
QBSubtle climb / slide; doesn't bail before the rush arrives.
Accuracy
QBBall placement away from defender leverage; layered touch.
Route Running
WR / TEStem speed sells the route; breaks at the right depth.
Pass Protection
OLVertical sets; absorbs power without conceding the pocket.
Run Blocking
OLFirst-level seal; second-level climbs hit the right shoulder.
Pass Rush
DL / EdgeFirst-step win rate; second-move counter when first is taken.
Block Shedding
DL / LBHand-fight to disengage at the point of attack.
Break Tackle
RBYards-after-contact rate vs unblocked or breaking-the-pocket defenders.
Man Coverage
DBMirror / press / route recognition vs isolated WRs.
Zone Coverage
DB / LBSpacing in zone drop, breaking on the ball at the catch point.