Dalvin Cook has been ranked by many as one of the best running backs in the draft, but he did not go on Day 1.
Two running backs were picked — Leonard Fournette by the Jags at No. 4 overall, and Christian McCaffrey — who can play multiple positions, went No. 8. Cook is probably next up on most peoples’ draft boards.
Why did he drop out of the first round? NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says it was due to character concerns surrounding the former Florida State rusher.
Many of Cook’s problems date back to middle school. The Monday Morning Quarterback’s Robert Klemko had a lengthy piece on Cook’s background. The report says he was arrested when he was 14 and 15, the first for robbery and the second for having or firing a weapon.
Then in college at FSU, Cook was charged for a BB gun incident; cited for mistreating puppies; and he was named in an assault case for allegedly brandishing a weapon at a neighbor.
That’s a lengthy rap sheet for an athlete being considered by NFL teams. But there’s no denying the talent Cook possesses. He rushed for at least 1,000 yards in all three of his seasons at FSU, scoring 20 touchdowns both as a sophomore and junior. He rushed for an average of 7.4 yards per carry as a sophomore.
Some team is going to take him, likely in the second round, and they will find out whether he stays out of trouble off the field once he gets into the pros.
