NFL Draft Buy it, Don’t Buy It: I Don’t Buy Dalvin Cook Falling Out of the First Round

Posted By on April 13, 2017

By John Sarianides

I don’t buy the rumors that Florida State running back Dalvin Cook will be dropping out of the first round. How does a super productive running back (5,399 yards and 48 touchdowns) with that type of talent not go in the first round? I know he didn’t test well at the combine but give me a break! Cook is the best all around back in this loaded draft class.

Case in point. Look at his 71 yard run against Michigan in the Orange Bowl that set up the game winning touchdown. That type of cutting ability and second level explosiveness is unique. Cook is an effortless runner who finishes his runs once he gets in space. He is a three down playmaker who is on par with Christian McCaffery and Leonard Fournette in this draft.

The fact that teams are downgrading him or taking him off of their boards completely is ludicrous. How does a player who was projecting as a top 15 pick all of a sudden fall out of the first round? It doesn’t add up. The hell with combine testing! The guy can play!I don’t want to hear this nonsense about his injury history either. All running backs have an injury history. Cook isn’t the only one.

If Dalvin Cook drops out of the first round, the talent evaluators around the league should be ashamed of themselves. They are going to pass up on one of the most talented skill players in this draft.

Draft weekend decisions determine the careers of many of the coaches and general managers in the NFL. Passing up on Cook and allowing him to fall to a contending team like the Patriots or Packers could have grave consequences for the decisions makers of lesser teams that need a running back.

That is why I don’t see Cook sliding out of the first round. If a team like the Jags or Jets (assuming they don’t take Fournette in the first round) is sitting there at the top of the second round, you don’t think they would trade into the bottom of the first round and grab Cook? I think they would be foolish not to.

When I think of Dalvin Cook, I think of Dan Marino and Randy Moss. Productive college players who projected as potential stars at the next level but slipped in the draft for various reasons.  Teams are going to pass up on Dalvin Cook and he will make them pay. I can promise you that. And no. I am not his agent. I wish I was though.