NFL Draft Profile: James Cook, Running Back, Georgia Bulldogs

NFL Draft profile scouting report for Georgia running back, James Cook.

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#4
Pos: RB
Ht: 5110
Wt: 199
Hands: 0938
Arm: 3068
40: 4.42
Vertical: 33
Broad Jump: 1004

DOB: 9/25/99
Eligible: 2022
Miami, FL
Miami Central

James Cook
Georgia Bulldogs

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One-Liners

James Cook projects to be a change of pace back that is a natural athlete and receiver out of the backfield. He could develop into a quality starter in the right situation.

Pros:

James Cook displays very smooth and easy acceleration. Overall athleticism is very good showing excellent hip mobility and foot quickness. Cook displays solid overall vision and understands how to read zone blocks. Excellent footwork and fluid hips allow him to chain moves together to make multiple guys miss. He excels in a zone-blocking scheme and shows plus decisiveness to hit holes when they open. Very good in space when he gets the ball in his hands using his hips, acceleration and feet to make guys miss while maintaining speed. At his best out of the backfield as a receiver. Used in multiple ways in the slot and on jet motion. Extremely comfortable catching the ball and is a good route runner. Knows how to set up defenders with violent hip and wiggle running routes. He can line up outside and beat LBs vertically. When he chains some moves together he understands how to use his shoulders and body to reduce surface area. 

Cons:

Still inexperienced and raw as a runner. Struggles to set up blocks with patience in gap and zone run schemes. He will sometimes miss cutback lanes when things get messy. He needs work on pressing the LOS to manipulate 2nd level defenders. He is not very strong or big and his contact balance is average. Needs to work on finishing runs. Pass pro is adequate as he is still learning how to process and is not overly physical.

Summary:

James Cook projects to be a scatback at the next level. He wins as an excellent receiver, smooth acceleration and loose hips. He is not the biggest or the strongest back and is raw at the position. He has a ton of upside with his excellent movement and receiving skills. He could develop into a quality running back and overall offensive weapon.

Background: 

James Cook attended Miami Central high school in Florida where he rushed for 782 yards and 10 TDs on 91 carries while also making three interceptions and two defensive TDs in his senior season. Cook transferred to Miami Northwestern after the football season, to finish his senior year. After high school, 247Sports ranked him as a 4-Star recruit, the 41st-best recruit nationally, the 3rd-ranked all-purpose back recruit in the country and the 8th recruit in the state of Florida.

Cook committed to Georgia and in his freshman year in 2018, he played in 14 games, finished with 41 carries for 284 yards, plus 8 catches for 89 yards. In 2019, Cook played in all 14 games, started three and finished with 31 carries for 188 yards, plus 16 catches for 132 yards. In 2020, Cook played eight games, finished with 45 carries for 303 yards and 16 catches for 225 yards. In 2021, he played in 13 games, finished with 101 carries for 619 yards and seven rushing touchdowns and 21 catches for 157 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

Cook is praised by head coach Kirby Smart for his growth since his freshman year, “I think back to his freshman year and we tried to use him in different ways, and he was learning the offense, understanding the motions, having to be a part of a functioning offense that was using him in different ways. Now, he’s become a more complete player.” Furthermore, Smart thinks Cook has traits that will translate to the NFL, “He runs with toughness, he doesn’t have huge weight, but he runs behind his pads.” Cook is also praised for having a good head on his shoulders and talks about his mindset which has contributed to a successful collegiate career, “It’s just working hard and practicing hard and believing in everything my coaches do and following the game plan.”

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Grades

Current Player Value/Potential Player Value

7.0/ 7.9

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