Draft Profile Series: Brandin Cooks
- Updated: April 27, 2014
As we approach the deepest NFL Draft in recent memory, I’ll give my breakdown and analysis of 75 top prospects in this year’s class. At the conclusion of this series, I will include my final overall and positional rankings, as well as my mock draft.
Brandin Cooks, WR, 5-10, 190, Oregon St.
Key stats: Had 128 receptions (2nd nationally); and 1,730 yards (1st) in 2013.
Strengths: Highly-productive wide receiver, who played well on a weekly basis. … A sudden athlete. … Has combination of explosive quickness and great long speed. … Quickly closes cushion on cornerbacks playing in ‘off coverage’ and accelerates past them with relative ease. … Is sharp coming out of cuts. … Has knack for finding open space and coming back to QB. … Productive in the screen game because he shows patience in setting up his blocks. … Has good hands and catches the ball well in traffic. … Tough. … Not afraid to go over middle and take some licks. . … Also used often on jet sweeps. … Plays with a physical edge and has some nastiness in his game.
Weaknesses: Not big, has short arms, and isn’t a great leaper who can go up and make circus catches. … Could have trouble early in his career with teams that don’t allow him a free release off the line of scrimmage. … Played in wide-open offense at Oregon State and his stats are a bit inflated due to the Beavers’ high-powered attack. … Doesn’t break many tackles and is relatively easy to bring down. … Cooks is small, has short arms and isn’t a great leaper. .. Not a very physical blocker. … Needs to head upfield a little more often instead of running East and West.
Conclusion: Reminds me of a slightly-bigger, less-elusive Tavon Austin. … Cooks is a dangerous weapon, who can immediately upgrade a passing attack due to his quickness and big-play ability. … He could find time on the outside, but will make his money as a slot guy … at least early in his career. Is also an option on special teams, which adds to his value.
NFL comparison: Emmanuel Sanders/Randall Cobb.
Draft projection: First round.
Related Posts
About Nick Sardina
