It seems to make sense that if you have what they call 'football instincts' and an ability to memorize plays you can be successful in the NFL regardless of IQ.

That doesn't mean general managers, who are risking a lot of money and so have to make the safest choices they can make, agree - if a player is too smart.

 Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy scored twice the average of NFL quarterbacks on the Wonderlic test the NFL uses.  And it may cost him positioning in the draft.

Is Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy too smart for the NFL? - ScienceAndSupermodels.com