Scouting Report: Former 1st-Round Pick, Cooper's Athleticism Is Intriguing

[RS12]

Games Studied: 2016, with Cleveland Browns, vs. Cincinnati (twice), Buffalo, San Diego


Report: As many of you may remember, Cooper was my top-rated guard in the 2013 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.

This is an outstanding athlete with good mobility. There were questions about his strength in comparison to Chance Warmack from Alabama in the same draft. Cooper shocked the scouting community with 35 reps of 225 pounds during the NFL Combine that year. He broke his left fibula before the start of his rookie season and really was never the same player. Since then, he has bounced from Arizona to New England and Cleveland.


His game is in his mobility. He is not going to overwhelm you with his power. He gets position, balances and seals. He is a wide-based player until he has to drive block one-on-one, then his base will narrow. This is a good player when he can get on the edge. However, he will struggle when he takes his man down the middle or when he lunges.

I would not call him an explosive player. He doesn’t play with much pop. He likes to get his hands inside, then work to steer the defender. It’s impressive how he can overshoot his man, then circle back around him to maintain his blocking position. He’s only off balance when he gets over the tops of his feet. In my film study, I only counted two plays where he was on the ground – he doesn’t have terrible lateral agility, but I thought he was better in college.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...k-coopers-athleticism-intriguing?sf49488781=1

 

[Q_the_man]

it would be nice if he were a RT

 

[LocimusPrime]

it would be nice if he were a RT

Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeeeeeeeeeeah It would

 

[Zman5]

Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeeeeeeeeeeah It would

But can Cooper swim with the dolphins?

 

[LocimusPrime]

But can Cooper swim with the dolphins?

Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeeeeeeah he can!

 

[EMMITTnROY]

So let's say he turns it around and becomes somewhat close to the player he was supposed to be.

What happens to our line? Is he a Leary replacement? Does Collins take Free's spot? Just a backup guard regardless?

 

[NorthTexan95]

So let's say he turns it around and becomes somewhat close to the player he was supposed to be.

What happens to our line? Is he a Leary replacement? Does Collins take Free's spot? Just a backup guard regardless?

Free and Collins both only have one year left on their contracts. Perhaps he comes back next year to challenge Collins for the starting RG spot. He could be a solid backup and the starter the following season if Collins doesn't resign. If the Cowboys see something in him I'd like to see what happens when he has a year to work with this offensive unit. Working between Frederick and Smith should bring out his best.

 

[phildadon86]

Free and Collins both only have one year left on their contracts. Perhaps he comes back next year to challenge Collins for the starting RG spot. He could be a solid backup and the starter the following season if Collins doesn't resign. If the Cowboys see something in him I'd like to see what happens when he has a year to work with this offensive unit. Working between Frederick and Smith should bring out his best.

RG? Where is Martin going?

 

[CATCH17]

So let's say he turns it around and becomes somewhat close to the player he was supposed to be.

What happens to our line? Is he a Leary replacement? Does Collins take Free's spot? Just a backup guard regardless?

Backup.

He's on a 1 year deal so you hope he doesn't play next year and he looks good in practice and our team keeps that information hidden and sign him to a multi year deal.

It also gives us another option in case Collins become too high priced of a FA.

 

[gmoney112]

Backup.

He's on a 1 year deal so you hope he doesn't play next year and he looks good in practice and our team keeps that information hidden and sign him to a multi year deal.

It also gives us another option in case Collins become too high priced of a FA.

Yep. Depth is always needed, especially in Dallas where a big part of gameplan is just running people over.

I'm sure they'll give him snaps at Center so he'd probably immediately be of value backing up G/C.

I don't see Collins going anywhere. I think they'll try and get Collins + Martin on loooong term deals similar to Frederick's by end of next season. They might give Martin a 10 year deal like Tyron and just lock him down forever. The dude's that good. We have a lot of cap in 2018 forward, good possibility they spend that money securing this OL with insane talent for their young QB + RB, I would. Especially now that we figure we aren't going to be spending a ton to keep Demarcus.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Backup.

He's on a 1 year deal so you hope he doesn't play next year and he looks good in practice and our team keeps that information hidden and sign him to a multi year deal.

It also gives us another option in case Collins become too high priced of a FA.

He's on a one month deal just for the playoffs. He's a free agent after that.

 

[NorthTexan95]

RG? Where is Martin going?

Oops ... meant LG.

 

[Stash]

So let's say he turns it around and becomes somewhat close to the player he was supposed to be.

What happens to our line? Is he a Leary replacement? Does Collins take Free's spot? Just a backup guard regardless?

I think that if Cooper shows well enough, he could be the starting replacement at left guard for Leary. That's no knock on Collins either, but optimism for Cooper's ability, fit, and upside. The team gets a 'free look' now, and if the numbers are reasonable on a multi-year contract, I could easily see them re-signing him.

But we'll know what they think soon enough. From what I've read, his workout impressed them a lot.

Something else to consider, as good as this line obviously is, it's not without questions.

Leary is in all likelihood gone. They just can't afford him, no matter what fans might try to tell themselves. So that job either goes back to Collins, or Cooper gets a shot.

And Free looks like he's on his last legs out there. He's not only the weak link, but looking 'weaker' all the time. His level of play Andrew his contract scream for a change at that spot. If Cooper can step in at guard, you at least have the option to consider playing Collins there. Whether he can or the team believes he can is another question.

And Tyron Smith has issues of his own and that need to be factored in. I feel that Emmitt Cleary held his own last week, but the team needs to decide if he's a viable option to keep around as backup or possible right tackle option. And we all know the issues with Chaz Green staying heathy. Anyone feel good about relying on him?

But I love the fact that the team realizes their greatest strength and is leaving no stone unturned in an effort to keep it that way. They 'know where their bread is buttered'!

 

[DogFace]

I wonder why he was let go so many times.

 

[Q_the_man]

All this is saying is we are planning on grinding it out in the playoffs. More beef up front.

 

[Stash]

I wonder why he was let go so many times.

I think both the Cardinals and Patriots were frustrated by repeated injuries.

And the Browns are the Browns.

 

[DogFace]

I think both the Cardinals and Patriots were frustrated by repeated injuries.

And the Browns are the Browns.

He does sound like a possible great pick up. Many wanted him in that draft.

 

[xwalker]

Games Studied: 2016, with Cleveland Browns, vs. Cincinnati (twice), Buffalo, San Diego


Report: As many of you may remember, Cooper was my top-rated guard in the 2013 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.

This is an outstanding athlete with good mobility. There were questions about his strength in comparison to Chance Warmack from Alabama in the same draft. Cooper shocked the scouting community with 35 reps of 225 pounds during the NFL Combine that year. He broke his left fibula before the start of his rookie season and really was never the same player. Since then, he has bounced from Arizona to New England and Cleveland.


His game is in his mobility. He is not going to overwhelm you with his power. He gets position, balances and seals. He is a wide-based player until he has to drive block one-on-one, then his base will narrow. This is a good player when he can get on the edge. However, he will struggle when he takes his man down the middle or when he lunges.

I would not call him an explosive player. He doesn’t play with much pop. He likes to get his hands inside, then work to steer the defender. It’s impressive how he can overshoot his man, then circle back around him to maintain his blocking position. He’s only off balance when he gets over the tops of his feet. In my film study, I only counted two plays where he was on the ground – he doesn’t have terrible lateral agility, but I thought he was better in college.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...k-coopers-athleticism-intriguing?sf49488781=1

I generally agree with the article. I thought his power was better than what they describe but I only reviewed the Bengals and Chargers game so I didn't see him against the big DT Dareus.

Yes, he is not as agile as he was in college but he looks a lot heavier. He was the quickest interior college player that I can remember watching so even losing some of that he still has good movement skills.

If they were to sign him for next season I think with a full training camp with the Cowboys he could be as good as Ron Leary. He's not as powerful but he does have quicker feet.

 

[pugilist]

 

[irishline]

Free and Collins both only have one year left on their contracts. Perhaps he comes back next year to challenge Collins for the starting RG spot. He could be a solid backup and the starter the following season if Collins doesn't resign. If the Cowboys see something in him I'd like to see what happens when he has a year to work with this offensive unit. Working between Frederick and Smith should bring out his best.

Collins will be a restricted Free Agent after next season since he will only have 3 accrued seasons. So unless he plays poorly I highly doubt they do not tender him with a first round tender for 2018 since it would be for less than $3 million. He more than likely has at least 2 years left in Dallas.