5 mid-round draft studs the Carolina Panthers must consider in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers must consider Bryan Cook
- Safety | Cincinnati
Finding a productive safety from the college level might not be the need it once was for the Carolina Panthers thanks to the signing of Xavier Woods coupled with Juston Burris and Sean Chandler getting new deals. But if someone like Bryan Cook is there for the taking on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, then a discussion needs to be had.
Cook was a key component for the Cincinnati Bearcats’ defense as the small program surged its way into the college football playoffs. With 96 tackles, one sack, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, and nine passes defended in 2021, it’s not hard to see why the defensive back generated a significant amount of interest throughout the evaluation process.
One thing Cook does better than most safeties in this class is communicate and lead. Two traits that are always highly sought after in the NFL and the prospect also brings a level of aggressiveness that completely obliterates opponents either in run support or in coverage.
He anticipates the quarterback’s movements extremely well and possesses the short-area burst to get to the point of contact quickly. Cook wouldn’t be the most explosive player to enter the league on the backend, but there is still a lot to like about his professional chances with additional coaching.
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Carolina wouldn’t need Cook to instantly secure a starting role. But it’s a selection worth making if Woods does not pan out as originally anticipated next season.