A Case For Brandin Cooks at 20

[Reddog]

We have several needs at 20 and my assumption has been we take care of LT in FA and that there was no way we take a WR in R1 lest we look like the incompetent Lions collecting R1 Wrs at the expense of wins. But the more I think about it why not if he is BPA? In all likelihood Fitz is gone next year unless he renegotiates and that would leave Floyd who will also be looking to get paid. Fitz, Floyd and Cooks would be nice and Cooks would provide relatively cheap insurance if Fitz left and maybe even incentive for him to renegotiate a more palatable deal for 2015 - 2018.

 

[WindCardinal]

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[Krangodnzr]

Brandin Cooks would be a great pick IMO, but I'm not certain that he would be the best pick. The team needs to add more punch to the defense, but an offensive difference maker would certainly better round out the team. The argument against drafting Cooks is that this team used an extra tight end more than it used an extra wide receiver. Drafting a physical, tough tight end, would enable Housler to be a slot, "Move" tight end, or line up more as an H-back.

In fact, typing this out has nearly ruled out drafting Cooks in my mind.

 

[Finito]

We have several needs at 20 and my assumption has been we take care of LT in FA and that there was no way we take a WR in R1 lest we look like the incompetent Lions collecting R1 Wrs at the expense of wins. But the more I think about it why not if he is BPA? In all likelihood Fitz is gone next year unless he renegotiates and that would leave Floyd who will also be looking to get paid. Fitz, Floyd and Cooks would be nice and Cooks would provide relatively cheap insurance if Fitz left and maybe even incentive for him to renegotiate a more palatable deal for 2015 - 2018.

Yeah, no.

1 he's not the BPA by far at 20

 

[Reddog]

Brandin Cooks would be a great pick IMO, but I'm not certain that he would be the best pick. The team needs to add more punch to the defense, but an offensive difference maker would certainly better round out the team. The argument against drafting Cooks is that this team used an extra tight end more than it used an extra wide receiver. Drafting a physical, tough tight end, would enable Housler to be a slot, "Move" tight end, or line up more as an H-back.

In fact, typing this out has nearly ruled out drafting Cooks in my mind.

If we could get a top TE at 20 then I am with you. I guess I should have couched this better. I would never have considered a WR in R1 under any circumstance but I can now see a circumstance where they might consider it. You get your LT & Safety in Free Agency and the Pass Rusher and TE you want in R1 are gone. Do you reach for a TE or grab the third or fourth best CB? You could go for your DT of the future or you could restock the cupboards at WR for 2015 with a Tavon Austin type.

 

[DoTheDew]

A lot of mocks still have Cooks as a 2-3 rounder. I think a lot of people are falling in love with his 40 time and not looking at the whole package. He is a fast player, but he has some shortcomings in his game. If he does happen to be BPA, I'd have no problem taking him, but I think there are more than 20 players in this draft who are superior to him.

 

[Chopper0080]

A lot of mocks still have Cooks as a 2-3 rounder. I think a lot of people are falling in love with his 40 time and not looking at the whole package. He is a fast player, but he has some shortcomings in his game. If he does happen to be BPA, I'd have no problem taking him, but I think there are more than 20 players in this draft who are superior to him.

I don't know where you are getting this, but Cooks is a stud. Fast and strong, he is what people wanted Tavon Austin to be last year. HE lacks size and that is it. He will be a beast.

That being said, we would be the number 3 WR for the Cards in a Bruce Arians offense that features TEs more than #3 WRs. The only way we take Cooks is if the Cardinals are planning to get rid of Michael Floyd as well.

Now, in round 2, I would be very tempted to take Cooks, but in round 1 it just doesn't make sense for th4e Cardinals.

 

[DoTheDew]

I don't know where you are getting this, but Cooks is a stud. Fast and strong, he is what people wanted Tavon Austin to be last year. HE lacks size and that is it. He will be a beast.

WEAKNESSES Size is just adequate -- is small-framed and lacks ideal length and bulk. Vulnerable to the jam and reroute. Relatively small catch radius. Has small hands and double-catches some throws. Lacks elite, blazing speed to run by NFL corners and safeties. Will struggle to play "above the rim" at the next level. Was not an impactful punt returner. Limited run strength. Poor blocker

Vulnerable to the jam, small catch radius, small hands, struggles "above the rim", poor blocker. Those are more weaknesses than just size.

 

[Chopper0080]

Vulnerable to the jam, small catch radius, small hands, struggles "above the rim", poor blocker. Those are more weaknesses than just size.

Hahaha...that is such canned crap by NFL.com. Guys runs a 4.3 and he lacks "elite, blazing speed." Also, great YAC and vert numbers in college. Also, as a downfield threat they knock his vertical game. The rest are short receiver canned answers as well. I know it isn't you, but that is a report done by someone going off paper rather than film.

Oh, and his size is the reason you get vunerable to the jam, small catch radius, small hands, and poor blocker. Almost every WR under 6'0 gets hit with those weak ass generalities.

 

[Chopper0080]

Vulnerable to the jam, small catch radius, small hands, struggles "above the rim", poor blocker. Those are more weaknesses than just size.

also on NFL.com.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...ks-mike-evans-seem-to-be-likely-firstrounders

"Cooks had the fastest clocking among the wide receivers, at 4.33 seconds. Mayock said Cooks "is one of my favorite players," has "fantastic hands" and that he should go late in the first round or early in the second. "This kid's special with the ball in his hands," Mayock said."

 

[Jetstream Green]

We are drafting at 20 and I see it like this... you look at your board and you take the highest rated player there, be it a safety, DT or even a WR. The position I would rule out are kickers and running backs in this draft. If by some wacked twist of fate Bridgewater is there, then I think one could certainly go QB. You get the playmaker in the first round and not just go for need

 

[DoTheDew]

"This kid's special with the ball in his hands," Mayock said."

There's no denying Cooks is special with the ball in his hands, but much like Austin last year, expect him to be a feast or famine type in the NFL. I think he'll be a bit more consistent as a WR compared to Austin but he isn't the returner Austin is either.

 

[Reddog]

A lot of mocks still have Cooks as a 2-3 rounder. I think a lot of people are falling in love with his 40 time and not looking at the whole package. He is a fast player, but he has some shortcomings in his game. If he does happen to be BPA, I'd have no problem taking him, but I think there are more than 20 players in this draft who are superior to him.

For what its worth, Peter King has a comparison of he and Austin from each of their final college seasons on his site. Austin went #8 in the draft and while I think this is a much better draft I don't see him making it to R2. I also don't see him as a top priority for us. http://mmqb.si.com/2014/03/03/nfl-n-word-ban-monday-morning-quarterback/2/


Player 40 time Height Weight Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Austin 4.34 5-9 174 114 1289 11.3 12
Cooks 4.33 5-9 ¾ 189 128 1730 13.5 16

 

[Jay Cardinal]

Cooks catches everything thrown his way. I thought he was the best receiver in the PAC-12 this year. He also runs great routes. I wasn't sure he had great speed until the combine.

He sure would compliment our big, physical receivers outside. Fitz and Floyd will soak up the other teams best cornerbacks. I think being able to throw Cooks out there and motion Andre Ellington into a receiver position, could make it very tough on opposing defenses.

I would love to be able to trade down 5-10 slots and still pick him up. I think he will end up being picked between 20 and 35 this year. I think as much as it would present matchup issues, there just might not be enough plays for the third wideout in BA's offense. Andre Roberts was barely on the field last year (compared to years prior). I think I have to put Cooks in the category with Ryan Shazier; a great player that will likely do big things, but does not fit our scheme very well.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

If we are taking a speed WR in round 1, I'd rather have Marquise Lee. I'd rather until round 2 and take Martavias Bryant. He's bigger and just as about the same, speed-wise.

 

[mwanamatapa]

Not sure Cooks will be there at 20. Have seen some talk that the Jets may like him at 17

 

[Vermont Maverick]

When Keim turns over the reigns to Matt Millen, I'll be concerned that we might take another first round reciever. You don't just keep drafting the same position high, especially when we have 2 great starters there. It might be different if we picked them and they weren't panning out, but that's not the case. We are not a 3 receiver team, so why are we going to spend a first rounder on a part time player? Even if we were, that would be foolish. In what way is drafting another reciever going to convince Fitz to renegotiate? That makes no sense. This draft is so deep at receiver, there will be 3rd round caliber receivers in the 5th round. That's when we will be looking to take a 3rd receiver, not another first rounder.

 

[Cardiac]

When Keim turns over the reigns to Matt Millen, I'll be concerned that we might take another first round reciever. You don't just keep drafting the same position high, especially when we have 2 great starters there. It might be different if we picked them and they weren't panning out, but that's not the case. We are not a 3 receiver team, so why are we going to spend a first rounder on a part time player? Even if we were, that would be foolish. In what way is drafting another reciever going to convince Fitz to renegotiate? That makes no sense. This draft is so deep at receiver, there will be 3rd round caliber receivers in the 5th round. That's when we will be looking to take a 3rd receiver, not another first rounder.

Gotta go with this post. Only way we draft a WR in rd1 is if free agency was miraculous and BASK plan on getting rid of Fitz for CAP reasons.

Don't like what's left at 20 in rd 1 then trade back.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Put it this way, if a guy like Lee is available when we pick and BASK has him ranked higher than the available options... we could very well pick a WR. My emphasis is we really do not know unless we are able to see the Cardinal's draft board and if there is a WR they feel is a perennial Pro Bowler, and the other positions are good but not that level in their minds, yes they draft a WR. If we get a LT in free agency, this team is not going to turn down a huge playmaker when they have a playmaker named Fitz who is getting up there in age and costing them a boatload. The draft comes to you after the top ten picks are selected and you cannot make players better than others to justify drafting on need

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Im not taking him with our first but dude is next Steve Smith. Love my Pac 12 boys

 

[Arizona's Finest]

This draft is so deep at WR the Cardinals taking a WR in the 1st would have me questioning Keim big time. You take a Paul Richardson in the 3rd and run to the bank.

Dee Ford
Bucannonon
Richardson
Carey
Fedorowicz

 

[jerseycard]

Please either CB or Safety

 

[Duckjake]

This draft is so deep at WR the Cardinals taking a WR in the 1st would have me questioning Keim big time. You take a Paul Richardson in the 3rd and run to the bank.

Dee Ford
Bucannonon
Richardson
Carey
Fedorowicz

They could even get John Brown of Pittsburgh State in the 6th or 7th round. Speed at WR and solve our issues with kick returns and take PP21 off punt returns. Far fetched? I don't know, according to Walter Football the Cards had a meeting with Bernard Reedy of Toledo a similar player.

Besides, John Brown is a Gorilla.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

The draft comes to you after the top ten picks are selected and you cannot make players better than others to justify drafting on need

This is true, and I agree that you should not pick a position for need alone. However, you can ELIMINATE a position or two if you are deep at that position - or at least move them down your draft board. For example, the Colts wouldn't be picking Bridgewater even if given the opportunity.

Now if, miraculously, we have Sammy Watkins as the 5th best player, and he drops to 20, then I'd make an exception. But not for a guy like Cooks or Beckham or Lee, who are probably about equally ranked positions of greater need guys like the safeties, pass rushers, offensive tackles, or corners.

 

[Chopper0080]

They could even get John Brown of Pittsburgh State in the 6th or 7th round. Speed at WR and solve our issues with kick returns and take PP21 off punt returns. Far fetched? I don't know, according to Walter Football the Cards had a meeting with Bernard Reedy of Toledo a similar player.

Besides, John Brown is a Gorilla.

I have seen a little of Josh Brown and it looked good to me. Brown, Ellington and Herron are all probably 4th round or later players who would fit a nice role for the Cards.