I was a little upset that I wouldn’t be able to feature Cook in my Top 3 running backs series. Cook is considered by many to be the top back in the class and has even been considered the 2017 version of Ezekiel Elliot. With all the high regard, it wouldn’t make much sense to feature the guy since it’s very unlikely the Packers will have a chance to draft him.

The Packers, however, don’t seem to share my concerns. As of March 3rd, I’ve only been able to track down one player the Packers have met with and it’s Mr. Dalvin Cook. Could it be? Could Cook actually fall to 29? Would the Packers consider trading up if he slid within a few picks?

About Dalvin Cook

Dalvin got his start at Miami Central High School where he was named Mr. Football for the state of Florida. Dalvin was also a track and field star for the state as one of Florida’s top sprinters.

Coming out of high school, Cook was considered a 5 star recruit by Rivals, and committed briefly to Clemson before deciding to play for the University of Florida. After Florida went 4-8, Cook made the decision to change his allegiance, and committed to Florida State.

As a Freshman, Cook became the first back to break the 1,000 yard mark in his first year. He also tacked on 8 touchdowns and 203 receiving yards.

As a sophomore he seriously upped his game. In 12 games he notched 1,691 yards on 229 carries for a 7.9 ypc average and 19 touchdowns. He added 24 catches for 244 yards and a touchdown.

In 2016 he showed no signs of slowing down rushing for 1,765 yards and 19 touchdowns. He caught 33 passes for an additional TD.

Blocking

Easily in the asset column, Cook is a great overall blocker. He does a great job shuffling his feet and squaring up with even the biggest rushers. His reaction time is also impressive as he quickly finds a player that slips passed the line, readjusts, and puts a hit on the blocker giving the quarterback at least a few extra seconds to escape.

It might seem sort of strange to pick a play in which he gives up a sack but I put that on the quarterback.  Dalvin not only squares up and hits the linebacker, he holds his block until eventually getting ripped to the side.

The linebacker, by the way, is All-ACC honorable mention and division I All-New England Team Connor Strachan. Not typically the kind of guy a RB can stand up and brawl with.

Protecting the quarterback isn’t the only evidence we have on film of Cook’s blocking ability. He is also pretty talented when tasked with downfield blocks.

The play above is actually pretty remarkable. He makes it look easy as he finds his mark, sprints toward him, squares up, and drives him straight back as though it’s a blocking bag.

Receiving

Overall Cook can destroy you in a lot of different ways. That will be a common theme as we progress. Below I’ll outline three different ways Cook can hurt you as a receiver.

The first two show Cook out of the backfield.

The first of the two shows Cook release into the flat. The art of these plays is to be able to make people miss. Although I’m going to list that as a liability later on, when standing still or moving slowly, like in the play above, he has some shiftiness and can get up the field in a hurry.

Above, Cook  runs a similar route but rather than sitting in the flat, burns down the field. Cook is uncovered in the play but his speed is still on display. As the ball is under thrown, causing Cook to slow down, Miami players are sprinting full speed toward him. Cook is able to turn his body and get up to speed in time to not only beat the Miami defenders, but leave them in a cloud of dust.

In the final example, Cook splits out wide. He’s at the top of the screen.

In the very unfortunate event that a linebacker gets manned up on Cook, you had better hope he doesn’t split out wide.

Such is the case in the clip above. 6-4 242 pound linebacker Mike McCray is playing man to man with Dalvin Cook. It was over before it started. Cook immediately gets behind him and is even able to slow down to make the catch.

Rushing

Something that came as a bit of a surprise to me was the fact that Dalvin Cooks bread and butter wasn’t between the tackles but was around the edge.

Yes it was a touchdown. Look how cook not only has the speed to beat everyone around the edge but flies past the corners and safeties as though they are standing still. Cook’s official 4.49 40 time in the combine is certainly an asset and it won’t be the last time we see Cook take it to the house from around the edge.

Another massive asset of the thick 213 pound Cook is his thump on the goal line. Although he’s much better around the edge than between the tackles, if you need a couple yards don’t be afraid to feed the man.

Never is there a better example than against Michigan. Although the 5’11 Cook gets lost in the pile, it’s not hard to guess where he is by the bodies flying through the air on his way to the end zone. Specifically, you may notice one poor man that decides to go toe to toe with Cook and gets his head taken off. That monster of a man is 6-5 238 pound linebacker, Noah Furbush, may he rest in peace.

Between the tackles is where we get to the good/bad part of Cook. I think a good description of Cook is a freight train. The good part of being a freight train is that if you find space and can get up to speed in a hurry you can do some damage.

Above, Cook finds a hole, is able to make a quick move and get north and south. Once he gets going he’s a wrecking ball. Cook is able to turn an 8 yard play into a 13 yard play using raw power.

Negatives

One things I learned about trains I learned from my grandfather when he found out my brother and I were playing by the train tracks. He told us that even if a train sees us, it can take up to a mile to bring the train to a stop. Do you get what I’m saying?

I took a lot of flack among my college analyst friends when I repeatedly knocked Cook for his inability to change direction. In fact, it’s one thing that he is constantly praised for. Here is an excerpt from Cook’s NFL.com draft profile.

“Keeps feet under him and is able to make lateral cuts at a moment’s notice.”

Ultimately my issue with Cook was vindicated during the combine. Cook’s 3 cone drill (agility test) and 20 yard shuttle (change of direction test) were one of the worst in a very long time and shocked just about everyone… Just about.

In a sense, Cook can make people miss. You can see in the previous play he at least has some ability to jump laterally and get north and south. The issue for Cook comes when he is moving at full speed.  I went on to name his disorder “clumsy feet”. Here are just a few examples of clumsy feet.

I think I’ve made my point. Cook has great ability as a blocker, a receiver, and has incredible burst, straight line speed, and power. Those things coupled together make him lethal and a guy that demands perfection from your defense.

Although his clumsy feet are troubling, I have little doubt he will be tormenting NFL defenses in 2017.  I would be very happy to see him in green and gold next year.