Former FSU football running back Dalvin Cook is the best running back in the upcoming draft. We provide three reasons why he should be first running back drafted.
The FSU football program is primed to send a number of players to the NFL, and Dalvin Cook is the biggest star of the bunch who’ll likely be drafted in the first round.
There are reports he could slide to the second round due to teams having concerns about his shoulder surgeries and off the field concerns about his character.
The former concerns are legit, but the latter are far-fetched in my opinion. A report came out Tuesday that suggests there is someone who tried to sabotage Dalvin Cook’s draft stock by planting rumors about his character.
If you haven’t read the report, I highly suggest you do so after finishing this piece.
The fact of the matter is Cook a first round talent, and should be the first running back taken in the upcoming NFL Draft.
We look at the top three reasons why we believe that to be the case.
Production
For anyone wanting to compare Dalvin Cook to D'Onta Foreman in the @HeismanTrophy race... be sure to peep the quality of the defenses faced. pic.twitter.com/CC13bKDWP5
— SingleShot ⚾⚽🏀🏐🎾⛳🎽📚 (@Singleshot25) December 1, 2016
Of course, those stats are prior to Dalvin Cook carving up the No. 2 defense of the Michigan Wolverines in the Orange Bowl. The other two backs being considered as first round selections are Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey. Both are talented backs, but neither had the production of Cook:
Leonard Fournette (3 yrs):
- 657 plays from scrimmage
- 4,356 yards from scrimmage
- 6.6 ypp
- 41 TD’s
Christian McCaffrey (3 yrs):
- 731 plays from scrimmage
- 5,128 yards from scrimmage
- 7.0 ypp
- 31 TD’s
Dalvin Cook (3 yrs):
- 766 plays from scrimmage
- 5,399 yards from scrimmage
- 7.0 ypp
- 48 TD’s
Receiving Threat
The NFL is transforming or has transformed into a league where running backs have to be able to catch passes out of the backfield or actually run routes.
Christian McCaffrey is the best receiver of the three, but Cook more than holds his own in this department.
He got better in the passing game each year he was at FSU:
- 22 receptions, 203 yards (freshman season)
- 24 receptions, 244 yards (sophomore season)
- 33 receptions, 488 yards (junior season)
His receiving production compares favorably with McCaffrey who only had 20 more receptions and 271 more receiving yards over their college careers.
McCaffrey had eight more receiving touchdowns, but Cook had 25 more rushing touchdowns.
Home Run Ability
When it comes to the ability of a running back to break off a long run for a touchdown, there’s nobody better at it than Dalvin Cook.
Florida State Seminoles Football
Not only did Cook do it, he did it against some of the best run defenses in college football. He had monster games against Clemson, Miami, Michigan and a host of other good to great college defenses.
Cook broke off touchdown runs of 43 and 70 yards against Clemson in 2016. He broke a 75 yard touchdown run against Clemson in 2015.
Do we have to mention how he abused Miami each time he played them? What about Florida? Cook broke off touchdown runs of 15 and 29 yards against them in 2015.
Cook averaged over 7 yards per carry against the Michigan Wolverines who only allowed an average of 3.2 ypc on the season in 2016.
What about the 75 yard touchdown scamper against USF on his first play from scrimmage last season?
Oh, he didn’t just start doing this over the last two seasons. He did it his first season as a true freshman too. Remember, Cook broke off touchdown runs of 40 and 38 yards in FSU’s epic second half comeback win over Louisville in 2014 against one of the best run defenses in football that season.
He averaged six yard per carry against Florida as a true freshman. Oh, he broke of touchdown runs of 26 and 44 yards as a true freshman against Miami too.
Ultimate Dalvin Cook Highlight
All of the touchdown runs I mentioned earlier can be seen in this highlight. I watched every FSU football game with Dalvin Cook in it, I know what’s going to happen and I still watch in awe.
He can run with power between the tackles and can turn the corner like no other back in college football. I still can’t believe some of the angles he takes to beat defenders around the edge, and he’s a huge threat in the receiving game.
He’s the most complete running back in the draft easily in my opinion.
His acceleration is uncanny, but also the fastest running back to come out of college football over the last five seasons.
Hopefully teams will not let rumors deter them from taking this supremely talented running back. If they do, at some point they’ll have to go against him, and he’ll likely make them pay.
Next: FSU Football: Top 3 Concerns After Spring Camp Conclusion
There’s no question he should be the first running back drafted on Thursday night.
HT: Stats via Sports Reference