Player Profile: Jonathan Cooper

Jonathan Cooper

Height:  6'3
Weight:  320
School:  North Carolina
Position:  Guard
Rank:  #2 Guard
Projection:  Top 25

Strengths
-Experienced.  Started and played every game (except 3) since redshirt freshman year.
-Very strong and powerful blocker.  Moves defenders off their spot.
-Does a great job of keeping defenders in front of him.
-Moves well latterly in pass protection
-Strong anchor and doesn't get pushed back
-Uses quickness to fire off ball and attack defenders
-Active feet that never stop
-Does a great job of recognizing blitzes and stunts
-A scrappy player who plays through the whistle
-Very good in pass protection.  Good drops and active hands
-Strong punch that jars defenders back.

Weaknesses
-Doesn't have great size.  Only 6'3
-Can get too high
-Could be more consistent in run blocking
-Can struggle to sustain blocks in the run game

Summary
When most people think about the guard position in the 2013 draft they tend to go right to Alabama's Chance Warmack.  However Jon Cooper is not too far behind Warmack.  Cooper is a very talented guard who excels both in run and pass blocking.  He's at his best in pass protection where he uses his athletic ability to keep defenders in front of him and keep the pocket clean.  He does a great job recognizing what the defenders are doing and react and help where ever needed.  As a run blocker he could get better, but he has good mobility and is able to pull and get the second level.  He does provide a good initial hit which allows him to gain an early advantage.  Cooper is an outstanding prospect and will go somewhere in the middle of the first round.  He could go as early as St. Louis at #16, but shouldn't fall Colts or Packers in the 20s.  If teams feel that Cooper could possibly play center, that could raise he stock even more.  The Cowboys and Bears are very logical landing spots for him.