From now until the 2017 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
Dalvin Cook/Florida State RB – 5’10” 210 lbs.
The Good:
– Good vision, patiently reads his blockers and opportunities well
– Amazing lateral agility that allows him to change directions with ease
– Short area burst and an overdrive gear in the open field
– No wasted steps, despite constantly moving
– Great body control, can make defenders miss in tight quarters
– Devastating wheel route (see Miami clip)
– Ability to take any carry to the end zone
The Bad:
– Health: multiple injuries to shoulder and hamstring issues
– Multiple off-field character concerns
– Runs high, allows defenders to get into his body
– Not an ideal short yardage power back, needs a crease created for him
– Doesn’t take care of the ball with 13 career fumbles
– Inconsistent hands in the passing game and cannot always count on as a pass blocker
– Poor showing at the NFL Combine
Bio:
– 2017 Orange Bowl MVP and Unanimous All-American
– In high school won ”Mr. Football Award” for Florida and was a phenomenal track star as well
– 5 star recruit per 247Sports and Rivals
– Checkered past with alleged robbery and gun possession in high school (both charges dropped), criminal mischief involving a BB gun in 2014, charged with, and then later acquitted in court for domestic battery in 2014 for an incident outside a bar, and cited for animal cruelty in 2015 (young puppies were weighed down with heavy chains)
– Finished his college career with 687 carries for 4,464 yards (6.5 yard average) with 46 rushing touchdowns, 79 receptions for 935 yards (11.8 yard average) and 2 receiving touchdowns
– Hamstring issues in 2015 and 3 separate shoulder surgeries in college
– Checkered past with alleged robbery and gun possession in high school (both charges dropped), criminal mischief involving a BB gun in 2014, charged with, and then later acquitted in court for domestic battery in 2014 for an incident outside a bar, and cited for animal cruelty in 2015 (young puppies were weighed down with heavy chains)
– Finished his college career with 687 carries for 4,464 yards (6.5 yard average) with 46 rushing touchdowns, 79 receptions for 935 yards (11.8 yard average) and 2 receiving touchdowns
– Hamstring issues in 2015 and 3 separate shoulder surgeries in college
Tape Breakdown:
The back gets the delayed handoff from the shotgun, starts darting right then bounces his run back left. Cook flies through the line of scrimmage, a bit high, while reading #81’s block and cuts outside into the open space. He explodes into the open down the sidelines before getting wrapped up. The Seminole pushes off with his inside arm, but would have been more effective with a pronounced stiff-arm to create separation.
Lined up to the left of the quarterback in shotgun, the back steps up and takes a weak handoff fake. He sees the defensive end bursting into the pocket, and decides to launch himself into the defender. Cook hits #90 off-balance and holds onto dear life as his quarterback gets the ball away, but the Seminole RB is fortunate that he wasn’t called for holding on the play.
Lined up in the I-formation, Cook reads his full back’s block cutting the play slightly inside, then slightly right after seeing #77 take out 2 defenders looking like a skier avoids flags in a slalom race. The runner lowers his head and falls forward for extra yards.
Once again out of the I-formation, the back races to the left flats at the snap of the ball while his quarterback rolls right. The interior linebackers on a run blitz get tangled up as the one responsible for the left flats falls down. Cook puts up his arm to let his QB know it’s a broken play and the runner tracks the ball in the air right into his awaiting arms, never breaking stride. The Seminole hugs the sidelines as he streaks down the field for a 59-yard touchdown reception outrunning several defenders.
His exceptional talent is there, along with the perhaps dimestore head. Yes, the former Seminole produced poorly at the NFL Combine and has a propensity for getting himself in hot water (both are alarming). Can he make an NFL team better with his skill set that includes good burst, fantastic vision, and amazing foot frequency? Of course he can, however Cook needs to go to a team with a strong head coach and ownership that can deal with him. I do not see the Steelers taking a chance on him with Le’Veon Bell already in the building.
Projection: First or second round (depends on team’s view of off-field issues)
Games Watched: vs. Michigan, vs. Florida, vs. Clemson, @ Miami, @Louisville
