STRENGTHS
Cole has the size, strength, speed, and high football IQ, to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield in any style defense for the team that selects him. He can play in the box in coverage, or be used to blitz or as a run defender. Cole can be used as a 2 deep zone safety or as a single safety because of his speed and anticipation to cover sideline to sideline. He shows leadership skills because of his high football IQ to play multiple positions and the ability to make a play on the ball in just about every game he has played in. Cole can cover those big pass-catching Tight Ends down the seam and has the speed to cover running backs out of the backfield on those pesky wheel routes that seem to give defenses trouble at the most inopportune times in a game. Cole has the athletic talent and football intelligence to be a coach on the field and that is the most important talent a safety can bring to the team that selects him.
CONCERNS
Cole needs the play to be in front of him to impact. He will need to improve his anticipation and match-up intelligence when he is used as a single safety. This will come in time and experience of learning his teammate’s strengths and weaknesses and learning his opponent’s receiver’s strengths and weaknesses. Right now, he overestimates his abilities and hangs too long in the middle before he reacts. I’m sure he is trying to bait the QB’s into interceptions but that is a bad habit. My guess is Cole will get beat deep until he learns to play that position better at the next level if a team uses him at that position.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.31
Cole has the potential to be a coach on the field and an impact player for the team that selects him in any style of defense. He’s a fit for a conventional defense or a 4/2/5 defense because of his ability to play the run, blitz, and be used in coverage against running backs and Tight Ends. He is not the fastest defensive back but he is smart and has excellent explosiveness and anticipation to cover ground quickly. It’s hard to suggest what round a safety like Cole will be selected in. Most safeties despite being the backbone of most defenses, don’t get selected until after the third round. Cole might not have the quickness to be used in the slot against all types of slot receivers. His overall talents and athletic abilities are very much like the Buffalo Bills Jordan Poyer, and Jordan wasn’t selected till the 7th round of the 2013 Draft. That being said, defenses are more complicated and safeties are used differently and at more positions than in the past and that makes Cole more valuable than just an average safety.
