Rookie Spotlight: Analyzing the Potential of James Cook.

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Our thoughts on 2022 NFL rookie running back James Cook.

Measurables:

• 5'11 199 lbs, but bulked up to 204 lbs at his Pro Day.

• 4.42 40-yard dash.

• 33" vertical jump.

• 10'4" broad jump.

"James Cook has a higher floor in point per reception leagues and a servicable flex option."

Strengths:

• Cook displays quick feet in space and has the lower body agility to evade tacklers.

• He shows patience at the line of scrimmage and varies his pace to navigate traffic.

• Despite his smaller size, he has the lower body strength to escape arm tackles.

• James Cook is a natural pass-catcher and snags the off-target throws. Cook finished 2021 with only one drop on 74 targets.

• Cook tracks the ball well and is a good route runner to build on his receiving abilities.

• He finished his college career with 6.5 yards per carry and 10.9 yards per catch.

• James has only two career fumbles and zero fumbles in 2021,

Weaknesses:

• Cook has a smaller frame and little contact balance.

• At times he gets caught from behind downfield and rarely falls forward.

• He often gets happy feet while waiting for holes to open.

• James Cook had a light workload with double-digit carries only five times and no more than 12 carries in a game.

Scouting Report

James Cook fits the mold of a complimentary receiving back; think James White. With enough receiving work, Cook could be a fantasy starter in full or half-point per reception leagues. He could be a perfect best-ball running back, as pegging down his best performance could be difficult. Imagine James Cook getting paired up with Tyler Allgeier in Houston. You could draft both running backs and lock down the entire backfield for almost nothing. On your roster, Cook will be a flex option or an injury replacement running back.