Arizona Cardinals Draft Profile: Brandin Cooks

Nov 1, 2013; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Brandin Cooks (7) races down the sideline against USC Trojans safety Leon McQuay III (22) in the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Looking ahead to the NFL draft later this week, one of the names that comes up as a possibility for the Arizona Cardinals is Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks.  The wide receiver is not necessarily something the Cards need to look at early but it is an area they should address in the draft at some point given the need to find a third receiver to replace Andre Roberts.  Will he be available for the Cards at number 20?  We will find out on Thursday evening.  Draft time is 5pm Arizona time.

Cooks is speedy, has great character, and has great hand and eye coordination.  Although ranked a little lower than receiver Odell Beckham from LSU, Cooks could actually end up being a better option.  Cooks is a guy that I could see the Cards grabbing if they decide to trade down in the first round.  If the Cards aren’t interested in the other guys many of us, including myself think they’ll take, a receiver would be a perfect end of the first round selection.

He isn’t that all and lacks the strength some other receivers may possess.  He does get the case of the dropsies from time to time but I think his upside is much better than his downside.  He is worth the risk.  I’m not sure the Cards would risk him at 20, but say somewhere lower in the first round could be a possibility.  If they’ve dropped out of the 20 spot that means all the guys they initially wanted were either gone or were never too high on to begin with.  Keep your eye open with Cooks.

On a scale of one to 10 with 10 being the highest probability of being selected by the Cards, I give it five if the Cards stay at 20 but an eight if they trade but stay in the first round.  Cooks won’t last past the first round.