Rd 2, Pick 63 (31): RB James Cook, Georgia

[Don Otreply]

6 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

He’s not supposed to be Devin. Two different types of RBs

This^^^
 

Cook is a, as said above, a hybrid RB/WR, with go to the house speed that no current on roster RB has, and he can do it from the hand off and the YAC, it’s not so hard to understand how he will be used.

[Coach Tuesday]

11 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

There is a bit of a "needy" fill to this draft so far. 

 

Like maybe if Levi Wallace had been wearing different underwear and JD McKissic hadn't reneged they might have drafted 2 players at entirely different positions. 

 

If $7M worth of free agents changed your round 1 and 2 draft process......that's not a great sign.

 

I like both players though.    Cooks is the best RB in the pass game in this draft IMO.   

Dont mind the players but question the value and strategy.  Beane basically admitted they drafted Cook for the role McKissic was going to have.  I mean, his approach to the second round is incredibly frustrating.  And he’s now drafted three running backs in for years with premium picks.  Insane.

[What a Tuel]

Bills bias i guess since I am watching his highlights after we drafted him but my gut is liking him more than I liked Breece Hall highlights prior to the Jets drafting him.

[MrEpsYtown]

10 minutes ago, Brandon said:

 

Note also that the guy he burned on that play was Christian Harris,  who went about a dozen picks after Cook.  Cook just ran right by him and actually had to slow up and wait on the ball. 

 

I'd also add that this play isn't a fluke,  either.  He had one just like it against Michigan in the Orange Bowl. 

That’s the idea in my mind. Split him out. If there is a linebacker on him, let him do his thing. If they use a DB, there is a mismatch elsewhere. If the team goes small in a dime package, shift Cook into the backfield and run the football. It’s essentially what the patriots have done with James White for a million years, except Cook is bigger, faster, stronger. 

[Doc]

4 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

Dont mind the players but question the value and strategy.  Beane basically admitted they drafted Cook for the role McKissic was going to have.  I mean, his approach to the second round is incredibly frustrating.  And he’s now drafted three running backs in for years with premium picks.  Insane.

Ok then, who would you have taken with the first two pick?

[Coach Tuesday]

Just now, Doc said:

Ok then, who would you have taken with the first two pick?

I would’ve preferred not to trade a fourth to move up two slots - let the board come to you and trade down if the value isn’t there.

[Brandon]

4 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

That’s the idea in my mind. Split him out. If there is a linebacker on him, let him do his thing. If they use a DB, there is a mismatch elsewhere. If the team goes small in a dime package, shift Cook into the backfield and run the football. It’s essentially what the patriots have done with James White for a million years, except Cook is bigger, faster, stronger. 

 

That's exactly how I think the Bills will use him. 

[atlbillsfan1975]

45 minutes ago, BurpleBull said:

Not trying to being a downer, but doesn't he go down rather easily for a RB drafted this high? 

 

After speed and pass-catching, he doesn't have anything on Devin Singletary.

Did you want Hall? 

23 minutes ago, Brandon said:

 

Note also that the guy he burned on that play was Christian Harris,  who went about a dozen picks after Cook.  Cook just ran right by him and actually had to slow up and wait on the ball. 

 

I'd also add that this play isn't a fluke,  either.  He had one just like it against Michigan in the Orange Bowl. 

And he had a QB whose strength isn’t throwing the ball. To think what he can do with Josh is fun. I bet we see some 2 back sets where Cook can motion out to a wideout/slot for a passing play or stay in and run it. 

[Simon]

18 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

 

Cook is a, as said above, a hybrid RB/WR, with go to the house speed that no current on roster RB has, and he can do it from the hand off and the YAC, it’s not so hard to understand how he will be used.

 

I've seen him run down from behind by more than one college player; that typically does not denote long speed in the NFL.

[NewEra]

5 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Something tells me you don't know the limitations of the BMI index.  What's his body fat percentage?  For example, Isaiah McKenzie has a 26.3 BMI and is considered overweight.  His brother Dalvin's BMI is 30.1 and he's considered obese by that metric. 

You are correct.  I was listening to a couple scouting reports and both mentioned this as a problem, but neither went into detail about it.  It was late and I didn’t look into it any further.  Til now.

 

Looks like their problem with it is that he’s too skinny and will break. 
 

Apologies.  Now get back to your regularly scheduled programming. 

 

Edited April 30, 2022 by NewEra

[ganesh]

Looking at the highlights he looks a lot like Najee Harris and Alvin Kamara.

 

For me he looks like Thurman Thomas with that cutback ability. 

 

Also look at the positive review made by Rich Eisen when Cook's name is called 

 

Edited April 30, 2022 by ganesh

[SCBills]

51 minutes ago, BurpleBull said:

Not trying to being a downer, but doesn't he go down rather easily for a RB drafted this high? 

 

After speed and pass-catching, he doesn't have anything on Devin Singletary.

If he had more power to his game, he’d have been RB1 in this draft.   
 

He’s the most skilled pass catching RB, by far, in this draft.  UGA had him run routes from the backfield, the slot, and even flexed outside.  
 

He’s not going to be a guy that we hand the ball off to a ton.  Here and there to keep teams honest, but he’s going to be a guy that we use to carve up 2 deep safety looks. 

[BurpleBull]

1 minute ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

Did you want Hall? 

 

I did not; I didn't see any RB in this draft as having a 1st rd grade. 

 

I was hopeful that the RB position would be addressed in next year's draft, where at least 2 RBs that I've given a 1st Rd. grade may enter. This pick bothers me because I don't think the FO would draft 2nd and then go 1st Rd. the following year with Singletary and/or Moss still on the roster. 

 

I don't like the Cook pick, but what can ya do? 

[MrEpsYtown]

This is your wide receiver. And because he is also a running back, he will be on the field. Any other receiver taken here is not playing very much. 

[atlbillsfan1975]

1 minute ago, BurpleBull said:

 

I did not; I didn't see any RB in this draft as having a 1st rd grade. 

 

I was hopeful that the RB position would be addressed in next year's draft, where at least 2 RBs that I've given a 1st Rd. grade may enter. This pick bothers me because I don't think the FO would draft 2nd and then go 1st Rd. the following year with Singletary and/or Moss still on the roster. 

 

I don't like the Cook pick, but what can ya do? 

If you are looking at Cook as an every down work horse than I get your dislike for the pick. If you consider what this offense was lacking and what he provides than it is easier to understand the pick. He lines up as a RB and can run the ball very well, he can also catch the ball better than ANY prospect listed as a RB coming out. 

[BillsVet]

23 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

Dont mind the players but question the value and strategy.  Beane basically admitted they drafted Cook for the role McKissic was going to have.  I mean, his approach to the second round is incredibly frustrating.  And he’s now drafted three running backs in for years with premium picks.  Insane.

 

For a front office highlighted here and elsewhere as being one of or the best in the the league they're strategically underwhelming this draft.  

 

Going CB, RB, and LB with their top picks makes me wonder if they're focused on not entering the arms race going on across the NFL.  With other teams loading up at WR, McBeane want more secondary help.  And, rather than go after those WR's early, they'll draft backs who can catch the ball.  And of course, continue with more high picks for the front 7 as I'm sure McD wants.

 

My issue with McBeane is they default to defense in an offensive era where more often than not the better passing offense wins in the playoffs.  

[Sierra Foothills]

12 hours ago, NewEra said:

Defense and offense…. Typical 

 

Right?

 

Football players... Typical

 

22 minutes ago, NewEra said:

You are correct.  I was listening to a couple scouting reports and both mentioned this as a problem, but neither went into detail about it.  It was late and I didn’t look into it any further.  Til now.

 

Looks like their problem with it is that he’s too skinny and will break. 
 

Apologies.  Now get back to your regularly scheduled programming. 

 

 

Yeah BMI is something that was used in the 1960s when I was a kid. It's simplistic to the point of irrelevance.

 

Not only does it not take into account muscle versus fat, but it also ignores bone diameter and density as well as lung capacity.

 

[machine gun kelly]

23 minutes ago, BurpleBull said:

 

I did not; I didn't see any RB in this draft as having a 1st rd grade. 

 

I was hopeful that the RB position would be addressed in next year's draft, where at least 2 RBs that I've given a 1st Rd. grade may enter. This pick bothers me because I don't think the FO would draft 2nd and then go 1st Rd. the following year with Singletary and/or Moss still on the roster. 

 

I don't like the Cook pick, but what can ya do? 

Get used to us taking a mid round RB most years under Beane as Singletary may just wrapping his head around unless a modest contract extension, they’ll move from him.  It’s the new NFL.  More teams unless they have a very special RB, just keep drafting them and use up over four years.  I’ve just accepted we’ll use of our 2-4th round picks anRB almost every year.  It’s a waste of $ to pay big $ for a RB when they get hurt more frequently than most other positions.

[BurpleBull]

22 minutes ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

If you are looking at Cook as an every down work horse than I get your dislike for the pick. If you consider what this offense was lacking and what he provides than it is easier to understand the pick. He lines up as a RB and can run the ball very well, he can also catch the ball better than ANY prospect listed as a RB coming out. 

 

I don't agree that he runs the ball very well, that's why I don't think he should've been drafted in the 2nd.

 

He didn't need to be an every down work-horse, I just needed to see other qualities traditionally associated with really good RBs.

 

I literally don't see anything outside of speed and pass-catching, and it isn't even blazing speed. 

[Don Otreply]

38 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

I've seen him run down from behind by more than one college player; that typically does not denote long speed in the NFL.

I’ve seen that as well, but he has gone to the house with some regularity 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[Doc]

30 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

I would’ve preferred not to trade a fourth to move up two slots - let the board come to you and trade down if the value isn’t there.

 

Even if it meant losing-out on the last player with a 1st round grade on their board, at a position of greatest need?  If your answer is "yes," we'll agree to disagree.   And about half the NFL traded-up in that 1st round alone.

 

Speaking of which, you're basically making a hypocrite of yourself by giving a thumbs up to the following post, since getting a WR in any of the first 2 rounds would have entailed trading-up (or reaching).

 

5 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

For a front office highlighted here and elsewhere as being one of or the best in the the league they're strategically underwhelming this draft.  

 

Going CB, RB, and LB with their top picks makes me wonder if they're focused on not entering the arms race going on across the NFL.  With other teams loading up at WR, McBeane want more secondary help.  And, rather than go after those WR's early, they'll draft backs who can catch the ball.  And of course, continue with more high picks for the front 7 as I'm sure McD wants.

 

My issue with McBeane is they default to defense in an offensive era where more often than not the better passing offense wins in the playoffs.  

 

The 1st tier of WRs were finished by pick 18.  That would have entailed trading-up (using their 3rd and 4th round picks).  Taking any other WR at 25 would have been a reach.  Did you want them to trade out of the 1st just so they could "enter the arms race"?  Trade up in the 2nd to take a WR?  And is a 2nd round rookie WR going to make or break the offense? 

 

There will be loads of veteran WRs who will be available after the draft.  Not that they will necessarily need them given the top-4 spots are set.

 

As for the last statement, the better passing offense lost in the AFCCG.  Because of defense (and that team traded up in the 1st to address their own defense).  You need to play both offense and defense.

[WotAGuy]

32 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

 

For a front office highlighted here and elsewhere as being one of or the best in the the league they're strategically underwhelming this draft.  

 

Going CB, RB, and LB with their top picks makes me wonder if they're focused on not entering the arms race going on across the NFL.  With other teams loading up at WR, McBeane want more secondary help.  And, rather than go after those WR's early, they'll draft backs who can catch the ball.  And of course, continue with more high picks for the front 7 as I'm sure McD wants.

 

My issue with McBeane is they default to defense in an offensive era where more often than not the better passing offense wins in the playoffs.  

If 13 seconds didn’t tell you the importance of improving the defense, I don’t know what else to tell you. 

[LabattBlue]

2 minutes ago, WotAGuy said:

If 13 seconds didn’t tell you the importance of improving the defense, I don’t know what else to tell you. 

Did they draft any coaches on Day 1 or 2? 😂😂😂

Edited April 30, 2022 by BTB

[BillsVet]

3 minutes ago, Doc said:

The 1st tier of WRs were finished by pick 18.  That would have entailed trading-up (using their 3rd and 4th round picks).  Taking any other WR at 25 would have been a reach.  Did you want them to trade out of the 1st just so they could "enter the arms race"?  Trade up in the 2nd to take a WR?  And is a 2nd round rookie WR going to make or break the offense? 

 

There will be loads of veteran WRs who will be available after the draft.  Not that they will necessarily need them given the top-4 spots are set.

 

As for the last statement, the better passing offense lost in the AFCCG.  Because of defense (and that team traded up in the 1st to address their own defense).  You need to play both offense and defense.

 

Funny thing about draft time is people know the cost of everything but the value of almost nothing.  Buffalo was picking at 25 originally and used a 4th to move up to 23.  It's gonna take a couple years, but at this point I'm cool with trading a 3rd to move up to grab a WR at 15 when your depth there is porous.  After all, Buffalo getting another LB for the defense isn't a huge cost because those players aren't impacting games as much as a WR does.  You can sign decent UFA LBs at value prices without burning top 100 picks anyway.  

 

Loads of WR's available after the draft?  Come on dude.  If you're talking UDFA's...yeah maybe 1 out of 20 becomes something.  As for vets...try fitting them under the cap constraints this team faces each season now.  

 

To your final comment...KC last season was the better offense and threw the ball better.  The Cheaps offense has been better at getting YAC and is overall less reliant on their QB carrying the ball.  

8 minutes ago, BTB said:

Did they draft any coaches on Day 1 or 2? 😂😂😂

 

Maybe not, but maybe they held remedial communication seminars for the HC and his DC who stumble in crunch time.  

[Dr. Who]

Just now, BillsVet said:

 

Funny thing about draft time is people know the cost of everything but the value of almost nothing.  Buffalo was picking at 25 originally and used a 4th to move up to 23.  It's gonna take a couple years, but at this point I'm cool with trading a 3rd to move up to grab a WR at 15 when your depth there is porous.  After all, Buffalo getting another LB for the defense isn't a huge cost because those players aren't impacting games as much as a WR does.  You can sign decent UFA LBs at value prices without burning top 100 picks anyway.  

 

Loads of WR's available after the draft?  Come on dude.  If you're talking UDFA's...yeah maybe 1 out of 20 becomes something.  As for vets...try fitting them under the cap constraints this team faces each season now.  

 

To your final comment...KC last season was the better offense and threw the ball better.  The Cheaps offense has been better at getting YAC and is overall less reliant on their QB carrying the ball.  

I was very much about upgrading WR, so I agree with your general sentiment. I do think Cook is a nice pick who will impact the passing game. He is like a slot receiver coming out of the backfield.

[Brandon]

25 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

Get used to us taking a mid round RB most years under Beane as Singletary may just wrapping his head around unless a modest contract extension, they’ll move from him.  It’s the new NFL.  More teams unless they have a very special RB, just keep drafting them and use up over four years.  I’ve just accepted we’ll use of our 2-4th round picks anRB almost every year.  It’s a waste of $ to pay big $ for a RB when they get hurt more frequently than most other positions.

 

I wouldn't be totally shocked to see them take another one later today to serve primarily as a short yardage and goal line specialist,  assuming that Moss is on the way out. 

[eball]

Haven’t read through this thread but I think Duke Johnson’s days are numbered as a Buffalo Bill.  Cook will fill the role of 3rd down and passing game back.

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

9 hours ago, gobills404 said:

 

Wait a minute.

 

How can this be ?

 

I just read on this thread that all Georgia did was play weak SEC teams like Vanderbilt?

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

Is this a guy you can leave on the field all 3 downs? Can he block? I absolutely love the way his brother plays. I’m cautiously optimistic that we end up with a guy close to what Dalvin is. A legitimate difference maker at RB is something that can absolutely get us over the hump IMO

[JohnBonhamRocks]

3 minutes ago, eball said:

Haven’t read through this thread but I think Duke Johnson’s days are numbered as a Buffalo Bill.  Cook will fill the role of 3rd down and passing game back.

I think it’ll be Johnson vs. Moss regardless. Singletary and Cook are locks. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

This might be the one offense where Cook is a legitimate starter. Scouts say he’s decent as pass pro as well. 

[eball]

2 minutes ago, JohnBonhamRocks said:

I think it’ll be Johnson vs. Moss regardless. Singletary and Cook are locks. 

 

You may be right.  Moss better show some significant improvement.

[SCBills]

LT and MJD gushing over the James Cook fit in Buffalo on NFLN. 

[Brandon]

13 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

Is this a guy you can leave on the field all 3 downs? Can he block? I absolutely love the way his brother plays. I’m cautiously optimistic that we end up with a guy close to what Dalvin is. A legitimate difference maker at RB is something that can absolutely get us over the hump IMO

 

He could be an every down player if used more like a WR (and that's probably how they'll use him),  but I wouldn't expect him to be a 15-20 carry per game kind of guy. 

[machine gun kelly]

Well Miss is still cheap so he just was pushed down the depth chart, not gone.  If that guy wants to stay on the team, he’s better embrace ST’s.

[Logic]

14 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

RBs and defense. Bummer.

Thought you wanted weapons for Josh?

There's no universe where an explosive pass-catching back that can split out wide and run routes isn't that.

[NewEra]

51 minutes ago, BurpleBull said:

 

I don't agree that he runs the ball very well, that's why I don't think he should've been drafted in the 2nd.

 

He didn't need to be an every down work-horse, I just needed to see other qualities traditionally associated with really good RBs.

 

I literally don't see anything outside of speed and pass-catching, and it isn't even blazing speed. 

It’s blazing acceleration, suddenness and route running. 

[Logic]

14 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Bills going to run the ball a ***** ton this season.😅

This comment shows your lack of familiarity with James Cook.

[Dr. Who]

Just now, Logic said:

This comment shows your lack of familiarity with James Cook.

Live near Athens. Cook is a great pick. Has slot receiver abilities.