Beware of the fast-riser. This is otherwise known as the Mike Mamula Factor, in honor of the Boston College defensive end whose impressive workouts at the 1995 scouting combine shot him up draft boards.

Don't let need skew your perceptions.

Evaluate the evaluators. Area scouts spend months gathering information on potential draftees, learning about their character and motivation levels, but some sources are more reliable than others.

Keep the God complex under control. When scouts become enamored of workout warriors whose college production was lacking or whose motivation appeared suspect, egotistical coaches often compound the problem by assuming they can cure all ills.