Cole Bishop NFL Draft Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6′-2″
Weight: 206 pounds
School: Utah
2024 NFL Draft: Cole Bishop Scouting Report
After spending the past three season with the Utah Utes, safety Cole Bishop has decided to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. A Massachusetts native, Bishop finished his final collegiate season as one of the best safeties in the nation. Appearing in 11 games, the physical safety finished the season with 60 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, four passes defended, and one forced fumble.
Bishop originally joined Utah in 2021. After spending his high school years in Georgia, the safety made an immediate impact as a true freshman. Appearing in 11 games, the defensive back earned a starting role down the stretch and finished with 54 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, three sacks, and five passes defended. He followed this up in 2022 by recording 83 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, and three passes defended.
Strengths
- Ideal build with NFL size and strength;
- Aggressive, downhill player who rarely misses tackles in the run game;
- Has the speed to go sideline-to-sideline while chasing the ball carrier;
- Punishing player – never lets anyone get off easy;
- Has the potential to eventually follow tight ends into the slot.
Weaknesses
- Coverage is a work in progress, although he has the physical traits to develop;
- Aggression is a double-edged sword – locks in on players and can misdiagnose concepts;
- All-or-nothing gambler who allows too many big plays;
- Struggles to shed blocks against bigger linemen;
- Shouldn’t be used out of the box at this point in his career.
NFL Comparison: Major Wright
Teams With Need at Position: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints
Projection: Rounds 3-4
Bottom Line on Cole Bishop In 2024 NFL Draft
Cole Bishop enters the 2024 NFL Draft as a scheme-specific player who could find success in the right environment. While he doesn’t have the widest skillset, he can be effective when utilized in the run game. The Utah product has an unmatched physicality that allows him to charge headfirst into the defensive line, identify the ball carrier, and take him down for a loss. While he can shut down inside runs, he also has the speed to chase running backs to the edge and limit long gains on the outside. His impressive combination of size and speed should translate to the NFL and make him a valuable early-down player at the next level.
Unfortunately, in today’s pass-heavy NFL, this isn’t enough to justify an early pick. Most of Bishop’s weaknesses come in the passing game, and that’s not a good thing. When in coverage, the Utah product struggles to pick up overall route concepts and instead locks in on one or two receivers. This can lead to blown coverages and big plays, especially when his narrow vision overlaps with his over-aggressive tendencies.
Fortunately, he has the athletic potential to improve in coverage. If he does that, then he should be a solid starter at the next level. However, until then, he should only see the field on early downs and short-yardage situations while being utilized as a pseudo-linebacker. Hopefully, he lands with a coaching staff that can develop the mental aspect of his game.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
