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NFL Draft Buzz on Chris Cole
They list him as running a 4.55 forty.
The thumper traits lag the cover ones. His pass-rush production is modest despite blitz snaps, his take-on strength can be tested by climbing guards at the second level, and his run defense trails the coverage, marking him more as a cover backer than a downhill enforcer. At 235 pounds he wins with speed rather than point-of-attack power. He is a space player first, which shapes the kind of defense that maximizes him.
Slot him as a three-down linebacker who covers at a high level and moves around the formation, the modern profile that NFL defenses prize against spread offenses. The run-game power is the area to firm up, but the coverage and versatility carry the grade. He projects as a Day 2 linebacker with starter upside, a chess piece for a coordinator who wants to defend the pass from the second level.
They list him as running a 4.55 forty.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Blankets receivers as well as any back at the position, rare for an off-ball backer
- Track-fast for the position, carrying seams and matching in space
- Versatile hybrid, lining up off the ball, in the slot, and on the edge
- Sacked Alabama twice across two meetings while holding up in coverage
- Reliable tackle finish, charged with only four misses on the year
- Broke up a pass against Charlotte while adding a sack and three stops
- Reroutes tight ends and backs at the line with physical hands
- Ranges sideline to sideline, chasing plays to the perimeter
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pass-rush production is modest despite the snaps as a blitzer
- Block-shedding can be tested by climbing guards at the second level
- Run defense trails the coverage, more cover backer than thumper
Scouting Report: Summary
Cole is a coverage-first hybrid linebacker whose coverage is among the best at the position, a former five-star with rare speed who carries seams, matches in space, and lines up off the ball, in the slot, and on the edge. He sacked Alabama in both meetings, broke up a pass against Charlotte while adding a sack and three stops, and finishes tackles cleanly with only four misses. The cover skills and the versatility are the reason he grades where he does.The thumper traits lag the cover ones. His pass-rush production is modest despite blitz snaps, his take-on strength can be tested by climbing guards at the second level, and his run defense trails the coverage, marking him more as a cover backer than a downhill enforcer. At 235 pounds he wins with speed rather than point-of-attack power. He is a space player first, which shapes the kind of defense that maximizes him.
Slot him as a three-down linebacker who covers at a high level and moves around the formation, the modern profile that NFL defenses prize against spread offenses. The run-game power is the area to firm up, but the coverage and versatility carry the grade. He projects as a Day 2 linebacker with starter upside, a chess piece for a coordinator who wants to defend the pass from the second level.
Chris Cole Linebacker Georgia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Rating: 87.1 Rank: #6 Forty: 4.55 Cole is a coverage-first hybrid linebacker whose coverage is among the best at the position, a former five-star with rare speed who carries seams, matches ...
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