Detroit Lions 2017 NFL Draft Watchlist: Clemson vs Florida State

Dalvin Cook
Junior
#4
Running Back
5’11”, 206

Early Draft Projection = Round 1 (11)

Dalvin Cook made an impact on Florida State’s offense in his first year on campus, rushing for 1,008 yards. He followed that up with a 1,691 yards the following season. With 900 yards already in the books for 2016, he’s only 361 yards away from becoming FSU’s all-time rushing leader.

Biggest Strengths:

• Elite speed control
• Above-average balance
• Patient runner

Biggest Weaknesses:

• Two shoulder surgeries
• Not a tackle-breaker unless he’s at top speed
• Ball security

NFL Impact

With a Chris Johnson-type of running style, he can start, stop, and cut, better than many of the top NFL running backs. His speed is not elite, his ability to control it is. A big-play waiting to happen, he can string multiple moves together with ease.

Lions target?

Adding a player like Cook to the Lions backfield would be lethal. But it would also be costly. Cook is the top running back on my draft board right now, and even if he isn’t the first back taken, he’s still going to require a first round pick. I would love to see him in Honolulu blue, but I’m not sure it is cost-effective.

Shoulder injuries are major red flags for running backs, and with Cook needing two surgeries, his combine medical check will be vital to his draft stock. He hasn’t shown any residual effects of the procedures, so teams are optimistic he’ll check out fine. We won’t know the results of the medical checks, but, if he isn’t drafted in the first round, we will know why.