2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Bryan Cook
- Position: Safety
- School: Cincinnati
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 203lbs
Film Watched: Notre Dame 2021, Indiana 2021, UCF 2021
Pro's:
- Versatile safety with a pleasing blend of size, strength, quicks and instincts
- High-intensity factor; never stops hustling and is aggressive when contact comes his way
- Technically proficient tackler who hits hard but makes sure his opponent hits the turf
- Excellent run defender; diagnoses early, disregards block attempts, and meets the ball carrier ASAP
- Understands route combos and able to prioritise threats from zone coverage
- Good range with instincts to help him reach catch points; able to play the high safety role
- Demonstrated ability to disrupt catches as a senior, with 9 pass breakups
- Swiss-army knife skillset, and used by Cincinnati to matchup against opponents’ biggest threat
Con's:
- Doesn’t possess elite quicks – can negate big slots, but shifty receivers might test his agility
- Inexperienced, with just one season as a starter in Cincinnati. Still developing technique and awareness
- Will bite on misdirection
- Pre-snap play diagnosis a work in progress
- Just two interceptions in his Bearcat career
The Verdict:
“After transferring from Howard to play for his hometown Cincinnati, Bryan Cook took some time to find meaningful snaps on a unit that has helped grow the program from Group of Five afterthought to playoff participants. Cook proved worth the wait; despite only having one full season as a starter, he has shown a rather diverse skillset that not many safety prospects outside of the elite few possess. Cincy moved him around a lot, and it’s paid off - Cook has the measurables and mindset to be an enforcer and drop down into the box, but also some good mental processing and enough movement to marshall the deep field. Asking him to be a single high safety might be pushing his limits, but certainly split duties is not out of the question. Cook has a high ceiling, but more importantly a high floor - at the very least you’re getting a strong safety who can fit the run and erase big targets out of the slot.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: MARCUS MAYE
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
5/5