DraftTracker
Round | Team | Pos. | School | Name

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Trent Cole
LB (6-2, 236, 4.74)
Cincinnati

Grade: 59
Comments
Possesses an explosive first step and flashes the ability to disrupt running plays in the backfield. Can make plays in space and shows adequate athletic ability. Takes good angles to the ball and makes some plays in pursuit. Flashes the ability to turn the corner as a pass rusher and shows good closing burst. Possesses adequate height, is an outstanding leaper and will bat some passes down. Is inconsistent. Bigger offensive tackles will have success engulfing him at the point of attack and is far more effective rushing the passer than anchoring against the run. Is overaggressive at times and will create running lanes by getting too far upfield. Has good speed for a DE but not elite speed, especially for being so undersized. Lacks ideal recognition skills and has some problems locating the ball carrier once reached by a blocker. While played some defensive tackle at the college level lacks the bulk to play there at the next level. Cole enrolled at Cincinnati as a partial qualifier and he sat out the 2001 season because of NCAA eligibility requirements. He started 9-of-14 games in 2002 when he split time between DT and DE. He moved to a fulltime starting position at DE in 2003 and finished with 88 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss and five sacks. Cole started all 11 games as a senior in 2004, finishing with 68 total tackles, 22 TFL and 8.5 sacks. Cole made more big plays as a senior but he's still a long way from developing into a complete player. He is too small to play DE in the NFL and he doesn't have the top-end speed, fluidity, cover skills or instincts to move back to linebacker. As a result, his upside is limited. But because of his natural athletic ability and burst as a potential edge rusher in the NFL, he should get a chance to prove his worth as a mid-round draft pick in 2005.

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