2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: James Cook
- Position: Running Back
- School: Georgia
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 190lbs
Film Watched: Tennessee 2021, Kentucky 2021, Florida 2020
Pro's:
- Versatile offensive weapon who is as dangerous on the perimeter as he is in the backfield
- Impressive short-area agility – quick feet and processing get him hidden yardage
- Elusive – hides behind his blockers, darts through holes, and is adept at slipping tackles
- Thick lower half with low centre of gravity gives him unexpected power and leg drive in contact
- A do-it-all back; traditional ball carrier, gadget plays, slot receiver, outside the numbers – the lot
- Heads to the NFL fresh – just 230 carries in his collegiate career
- Displays good understanding of the defense and has a feel for where opportunities will develop
- Puts a premium on ball security, locking it up upon contact
James Cook is a RB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 8.7 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 199 out of 1519 RB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/YZEO7LzDFp #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/ieiAFKe2dU
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2022
Con's:
- Smaller than ideal for a three-down NFL running back
- Strength questions – determined through contact but won’t break tackles with force
- Significant injury history – missed the 2019 bowl game due to ankle surgery & six games in 2020 with a hand injury
- Quicker than fast – agile but doesn’t possess top end breakaway speed
- Plus effort but struggles to stonewall blitzers as a blocker
The Verdict:
“James Cook might not be as highly touted coming out of college than his brother Dalvin was back in 2017, but his diverse skillset could make a lot of teams wish they took him earlier than he will ultimately come off the board. A receiver in a running backs’ body, Cook knows how to get separation as a pass catcher and transfers that intuition when he lines up in the backfield. A difficult man to locate, and no easier to tackle, Georgia demonstrated how best to utilise him; a varied playbook that allows him to create mismatches in the passing game and get the ball in space on sweeps or screens. All of that, plus his ability as a more traditional ball carrier, makes him one of the more exciting prospects at his position in this draft. If Cook can stay healthy, he’ll be considered a steal by the time his rookie contract expires.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: ALVIN KAMARA
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
5/5