Brady Cook, QB, Missouri
Size:
Height: 6021
Weight: 214
Arm: 32 ½”
Hand: 9 ¼”
Accomplishments:
William V. Campbell Trophy and Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist (2023)
“Brady Cook is a gifted athlete at the quarterback position with NFL size, arm talent, and athleticism that showcase one of the class’ most intriguing developmental projects at the position.”
Strengths:
Potential
Gifted athlete under center
Arm talent
Size/traits of NFL starter
Concerns:
Ball placement
Footwork under pressure
Anticipation as a passer
Film Analysis:
Brady Cook is a gifted athlete at the quarterback position with NFL size, arm talent, and athleticism that showcase one of the class’ most intriguing developmental projects at the position. A multi-year starter in the SEC, Cook brings a blend of athleticism, toughness, and refined mechanics that make him an appealing developmental talent. However, his NFL projection is complex, as his skill set has clear strengths, but also notable limitations that could define his ceiling as he jumps a level.
As a passer, Cook operates with a mechanically sound foundation along with a throwing motion that is compact and efficient, allowing him to get the ball out quickly without unnecessary wasted motion. Generates easy velocity on throws at varying depths—even more zip and a higher level of ball placement come when he’s in rhythm. Cook has shown the ability to layer throws with touch, especially against zone coverage over squatting LBs and safeties on intermediate and deeper developing crossing routes between the hashes. When given a clean pocket, he works efficiently through his progressions and demonstrates the ability to throw with anticipation, though more consistency is required.
Pre-snap, Cook exhibits a solid command of Missouri’s offense, making adjustments at the line of scrimmage based on alignment. He demonstrates a clear understanding of coverage rotations and does a good job identifying pressure packages. Adept at recognizing single-high vs. two-high safety shells and understands how to attack weaknesses in coverage. However, there are moments where his pre-snap reads don’t always translate into post-snap execution, leading to hesitation or late throws.
Post-snap, Cook is usually decisive but can occasionally lock onto his first read, leading to missed opportunities elsewhere. Processing speed is generally adequate, but when faced with complex post-snap rotations or disguised pressures, he can become a bit methodical in working through his progressions. Against aggressive defenses that muddy the picture post-snap, there are instances where he holds the ball too long, leading to unnecessary shots to his body, and worse, sacks. While he shows flashes of quick processing, his internal clock can be inconsistent, and he doesn’t always consistently play ahead of the defense.
A significant strength of Cook’s game is his poise and toughness in the pocket. He doesn’t flinch under pressure and is willing to take hits to deliver throws downfield. Mobility is above average for an athlete of his size as he can subtly slide to avoid rushers and keep plays alive within the structure of the offense (South Carolina). Additionally, his athleticism allows him to extend plays outside the pocket when necessary. He throws well on the move, particularly when rolling to his right, displaying good accuracy and velocity when resetting his base. While he is not a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, he is more than capable of picking up yards with his legs when the opportunity presents itself and is a tough runner in space with good vision.
Concerns remain about Cook’s footwork under pressure. While he is generally accurate, he can struggle with ball placement when bodies are around his feet. There are times when his footwork deteriorates completely, leading to passes that sail or arrive behind receivers. While he has the arm to push the ball downfield, his accuracy to the deeper third of a secondary can be hit-or-miss, often leaving throws just out of reach for receivers or failing to lead them properly. Though he limits turnovers well, Cook also can occasionally fall into the trap of playing conservatively, passing up opportunities to challenge tight coverage in favor of check-downs. As a result, it can lead to stalled drives, as he, at times, lacks the aggressive mindset to test defenses on high-leverage downs.
Overall, Cook’s success in the NFL will hinge on his ability to speed up his processing, refine his deep ball accuracy, and maintain consistency under duress. His skill set is one that teams could view as a reliable option in a quarterback room, but without consistent examples on tape despite the obvious skill set and modern day dual-threat ability (potential for red zone package early in his career), his path to becoming a full-time starter will require continued development.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Texas A&M (2024), Boston College (2024), Iowa (2024), South Carolina (2024)
