Jonathan Cooper 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Edge
Height: 6’2 3/4”
Weight: 254 lbs
School: Ohio State
Jonathan Cooper 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Ohio State has produced many NFL pass-rushers in recent years. From Joey Bosa to Chase Young, elite pass-rushers have been coming out of Ohio State aplenty. While Jonathan Cooper has been with the program for five seasons, he hasn’t quite cemented his name in that class of players. Mostly playing as a complementary piece to more prestigious names, Cooper is still a player to watch come draft day. He had his most efficient season in 2020 where he recorded 22 tackles and 3.5 sacks in just seven games.
Cooper doesn’t have the elite athletic characteristics that excite NFL teams, however, he is a hardworking, steady edge defender. His floor seems relatively high and he should be able to offer decent snaps as a rotational player right away in the NFL. Although Cooper’s athletic traits don’t excite much, his hardworking attitude on and off the field is where the buzz surrounding his name comes from. A two-time all academic member, along with being a team captain, show teams the good attitude and grind you look for in a mid-round pick.
Strengths
- Competitive hard worker
- Good hand usage
- Has good initial burst
- NFL size and length
- Seems to be limited to a rotational pass-rusher at the next level
Weaknesses
- Pursuit speed below average
- Gets beat at the point of attack often
- Below average against the run
- Lacks elite bend
- Pass rush moves limited at this time
NFL Comparisons: Alex Okafor
Teams With Need At This Position: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans
Projection: Late third round to early fourth round
Bottom Line on Jonathan Cooper
Cooper is a prime example of a player who is good at a lot, but not elite at anything. With that said, he should be able to carve out a role in the NFL as those types of players usually have long, steady careers. He should compete for a rotational spot right away in the NFL, given his hard-working history and track record of grinding, the expectation will be that he will succeed. As with most prospects, a lot of this depends on the landing spot and where he may be able to get snaps right away.
Cooper has some room for growth, but he is a player that seems to be pretty much at his personal peak. This isn’t a problem, but the NFL projection is more simple. He projects as a rotational piece in a 4-3, but in the right fit he could carve out a role as a starter.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
