Draft Analysis: James Cook

April 28, 2022 /
  • Height: 5’11”
  • Weight: 199
  • College: Georgia
  • Tape watched: Clemson, Alabama, Michigan
  • NFL Comparison: Lamar Miller

Pros

  • Receiving
    One of the top tier pass catching backs in the class, James Cook can offer a unique fold to the offense that inherits him. He has extremely dependable hands, can track the ball in the air, and runs detailed routes for the position. Georgia maximized Cook in this aspect, even lining him up as a boundary receiver and taking deep shots against safeties.
  • Athleticism
    Cook possesses high end speed for the position, has great acceleration, and can change direction very well. While it doesn’t always show on tape, Cook has good lateral agility. Cook did get caught on long runs more than you’d expect with his testing numbers, so his play speed may limit homeruns on the ground. The elite level elusiveness just isn’t there yet for the type of player Cook will need to become.
  • Wear
    As fresh as they come, Cook enters the NFL with only 230 carrier carries.

Cons

  • Strength
    Cook hardly breaks any tackles, and rarely picks up extra yardage for that matter. He simply does not have power behind his runs and is usually tackled on first contact. He relies on clean holes in the line of scrimmage to slip through cleanly to the second level. He can be downed with arm tackles.
  • Pass Protection
    While he isn’t afraid to chip off the edge, Cook has little impact on pass protection. He looked overmatched at times picking up blitzers.

Overview

James Cook looks to be a perfect compliment to a sturdier back in the NFL. Cook can handle most passing downs and even be utilized in matchups at receiver. He has plenty of speed, burst and agility, he just needs to put it all together and become a more complete back. He may struggle between the tackles in the NFL, but there are definitely ways to maximize what Cook can do. If he learns to be more patient at the line of scrimmage and can shed more arm tackles, he has the upside of a top 32 back in the NFL.