Tag: Jabril Cox

4-round 2021 mock draft focuses on Bills’ O-line

NFL.com four-round 2021 NFL Draft mock for the Buffalo Bills including Jalen Mayfield, Jabril Cox.

NFL.com recently took on a big undertaking. Analyst Chad Reuter released a massive four-round mock ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft.

For the Bills, the task was a bit easier though.

Thanks to Buffalo’s trade for Stefon Diggs a year ago, the Bills don’t have a fourth-round pick. That went to the Minnesota Vikings in the deal, so Buffalo only has picks in the first three rounds. With those, NFL.com’s use two of those selections on the Bills’ offensive line.

Here’s a full breakdown of the Bills’ picks in the new four-round mock draft via NFL.com:

Browns draft profile: LSU LB Jabril Cox

Cox holds a lot of appealing traits for the Browns defense

First up in our series of draft profiles on 2021 NFL prospects is an off-ball linebacker with an impressive college career.

Jabril Cox, LB, LSU

Ht: 6-2

Wt: 233 (from Senior Bowl)

A high school quarterback, Cox quickly established himself as a playmaking linebacker at FCS-level superpower North Dakota State. He was the conference freshman of the year, the Missouri Valley Conference defensive player of the year as a sophomore and a two-time FCS All-American. During his three seasons for the Bison, Cox racked up over 250 tackles, 32 TFLs, 14 sacks and six INTs.

Cox transferred to LSU for his senior season. The jump from FCS to SEC wasn’t too big for the speedy Cox. He led the Tigers with 39 solo tackles to go with three INTs and 6.5 TFLs while playing in current Browns LB Jacob Phillips’ old role in Baton Rouge. Cox then took a starring role during Senior Bowl practices, proving once again he’s capable of playing above the level he’s already dominated.

Scouting report

Games watched: Vanderbilt, Missouri, Florida, Texas A&M, Alabama, James Madison (2019 FCS playoff at NDSU)

Strengths

  • Agility and change of direction in space
  • Coverage instincts and zone coverage awareness
  • Reaction quickness and anticipation
  • Closing speed to the ball
  • Football IQ
  • Can turn and run with any TE or RB in coverage
  • Playmaking knack with the ball in the air
  • Leadership and character are major assets

Weaknesses

  • Will stick to blocks in the run game
  • Not overly physical as a tackler; not “soft” but not a power player
  • Can be flighty to attack on perimeter runs, better as a clean-up tackler than instigator
  • Better at creating QB pressure than finishing, doesn’t always go for the kill on the pass rush

Overall

There might not be a better coverage LB in this entire draft class than what Cox has proven himself to be. He’s got the instincts, the quick reactions and the savvy to handle any coverage responsibilities thrown his way. Cox is also a capable run defender as a nickel-package LB, though he’s not as valuable against the run in 3-LB sets or against heavier (12 or 22 personnel) offensive formations. He’s a high-character player who has proven he’s not afraid of a challenge and can elevate his game.

Browns fit

Cox would step right into the role held at various times by Mack Wilson and Malcolm Smith of late, a coverage-oriented linebacker. He should represent an instant, significant upgrade over either in a 2-LB set. If Cox is on the board when the Browns pick in the second round, he needs to be under strong consideration.

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3 potential landing spots for ex-LSU LB Jabril Cox

Where will Jabril Cox land in the upcoming draft?

LSU has hit it big with grad transfers in the past — one of the most notable being current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

The latest was linebacker Jabril Cox, who came to the Tigers after playing out several years of his career at NDSU.

In one season in Baton Rouge, Cox was one of the team’s best players on either side of the ball, recording 37 tackles (6.5 for a loss), one sack, three interceptions, and one touchdown.

Here’s a look into three potential landing spots for Cox as he prepares for the 2021 NFL Draft:

1. New Orleans Saints.

How about Cox transitioning from the college to the NFL in the same state? That could very much be a reality if the Saints choose to add him to the roster in April.

The Saints have Kwon Alexander, but he tore his Achilles tendon, and it’s hard to tell what kind of effect that’s going to have on his future in New Orleans.

At $13 million per year, it may be wise to draft a replacement for him and bolster the linebacker position with a guy like Cox to join an already solid playmaker in Demario Davis.

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Former LSU linebacker Jabril Cox talks Senior Bowl performance, 2020 season

Former LSU linebacker Jabril Cox is confident in what he brings to the table ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft.

LSU has seen some notable success with transfer portal — names like Joe Burrow immediately come to mind.

One of the most recent ways the Tigers hit it big with a transfer was by adding former NDSU linebacker Jabril Cox ahead of the 2020 season.

Cox was a force on defense in what was statement season for him in his career last year, totaling 58 tackles (37 solo), one sack, one fumble recovery, three interceptions, one touchdown and five passes defensed.

Cox told me at the Reese’s Senior Bowl that he believes having a chance to play in the SEC helped him to put forth an effort to further impress scouts.

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“The SEC — the conference overall — it’s the closest thing to the NFL,” he said. “Competing and doing well within it can definitely help your draft stock. I wanted to show scouts that I could compete at a high level.”

Cox was pleased with his performance in Mobile, where he turned heads. One of his most impressive plays was an interception off of former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones.

“I think that I’ve done very well. I’ve been trying to really get out here and compete, especially in one-on-ones and team periods,” he said during the week. “It’s about winning my battles, and I think I’ve won more than I’ve lost. I’ve become a better football player.”

Cox didn’t see nearly as much action — nor did he see the same type of action on the field — when he was at NDSU before heading to Baton Rouge.

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He says he feels a lot of talent goes undiscovered within the FCS itself, and that a lot of the players within it could excel in the Power Five if given the opportunity.

“There are a lot hidden gems in the FCS, as you’ve seen with myself,” he said. “But a lot of the guys in the FCS, I know they can play in the Power-5 easy, but they were just underrecruited out of high school, and the development they have in a program within the FCS lets them shine but they fly under the radar.”

Cox joined LSU in a down year, when the team had to fight through COVID issues and significant turnover within both the roster and the coaching staff.

LSU entered the season with a new defensive coordinator in Bo Pelini, and the defense struggled greatly up to the tail-end.

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Cox says he doesn’t think the unit’s issues came down to the type of scheme it was or its level of difficulty.

We kind of got a late start on the whole scheme that Bo Pelini was trying to run,” he said. “But I didn’t think it was hard at all.”

Cox sees the team’s late improvement on defense as simply a product of repetition, and that things will improve for LSU in the near future.

“We were a young team, young squad,” he said. “A lot of the young guys got more reps throughout the season and toward the end of the season. You could see the results of that. Getting more playing time for the younger guys is something that’s needed.”

It’s reasonable to project Cox as a Day 2 pick at this point, and it will be interesting to see which team he ultimately lands with when April comes around.

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2021 All-Senior Bowl team

Who were the best prospects at each position in this year’s Senior Bowl?

Every year, the Senior Bowl provides prospects with an opportunity to test their mettle against some of the top competition in college football, hoping to impress NFL decision-makers heading into the draft.

Here are my picks for the best players I saw at every position throughout this year’s event in Mobile:

Senior Bowl recap for three former LSU stars

The Reese’s Senior Bowl is one of the biggest events on the NFL draft calendar. Held one week before the Super Bowl, the Senior Bowl is

The Reese’s Senior Bowl is one of the biggest events on the NFL draft calendar. Held one week before the Super Bowl, the Senior Bowl is viewed by many as the kickoff to draft season.

Senior Bowl week in 2021 is more important than in recent years, with the NFL announcing the 2021 scouting combine would be changed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, no one will descend on Indianapolis and all on-field workouts will be held at the on-campus pro days. One AFC executive told Mike Triplett of ESPN.com this year was more critical than ever.

“It’s kind of like an accelerated speed-dating process. You have to find out whether or not you’d marry them in 15 minutes,” the AFC general manager jokingly said.

The LSU Tigers, who finished a disappointing 5-5 one year after winning the national championship, sent three prospects to Mobile. Wide receiver Racey McMath, linebacker Jabril Cox and safety JaCoby Stevens all participated in Senior Bowl week.

How did they perform in the game?

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WATCH: best moments of Senior Bowl practices for LSU players

Looking into some of the best highlights from Senior Bowl practices on LSU players.

The 2020 college football season was an underwhelming one for LSU players overall, and the 5-5 overall record at the end of the season serves as a perfect illustration of that.

But there were some bright spots within a year of football surrounded by unprecedented circumstances, and three Tigers are being recognized for their efforts in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Safety JaCoby Stevens, linebacker Jabril Cox and wide receiver Racey McMath each took the field this week and will look to continue raising their draft stock when the game is played this weekend.

As of now, several projections have Stevens and Cox going early on, while McMath is expected to be taken in either the late rounds or be signed by a team as an undrafted free agent.

Here’s a look at some of the best moments of the week for players representing the Purple and Gold.

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Measurements of every LSU player at the Senior Bowl

Here’s how LSU’s representatives at the Senior Bowl measure up.

The practice week has winded down now at the Senior Bowl, with players from multiple schools making their presence known.

LSU has three players in safety JaCoby Stevens, linebacker Jabril Cox and wide receiver Racey McMath taking the field — all of which will look to continue expanding upon their performances and raising their draft stock during the game on Saturday.

Players had weigh-ins earlier in the week and all of the measurements were posted to social media.

Here’s a look at the numbers on each former LSU Tiger giving us the last true dose of their college careers at the end of January:

WR Racey McMath, LSU

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’2”
Weight: 224
Wing: 79”
Arm: 31 1/2”
Hand: 9 1/4”

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Jabril Cox: LSU LB proving worthy of a long look from the Browns at the Senior Bowl

Cox was a 2-time All-American at North Dakota State before joining LSU in 2020

The Cleveland Browns tabbed LSU linebacker Jacob Phillips in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. Could they take his successor at LSU in a similar spot in the 2021 edition of the draft?

Jabril Cox is generally projected as a third or fourth-round pick, though after an impressive Senior Bowl week he could be moving up. And the Browns would be wise to take note. Cox is a great fit for what Cleveland needs at linebacker.

Cox is a little under the radar as a transfer from North Dakota State. He played just the 2020 season at LSU after dominating for the FCS powerhouse Bison. He’s got coverage skills, explosive athleticism and a good eye for the ball. All of those have been on full display in the first two days of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile.

From Brian Bosarge of Deep Fried Draft, one of the stalwart veterans of Senior Bowl coverage,

“LSU LB Jabril Cox continued his hot start to the week. He does a great job in coverage.”

As an example, this is a 1-on-1 drill where Cox is in man coverage against a running back in Wednesday’s practice. He makes this look easy,

Cox even won during the weigh-in day. His physical measurements, other than the tiny hands, are exactly what NFL teams are looking for in a linebacker these days:

Cox is definitely a player to keep an eye on for the Browns. Remember, there are deep LSU ties all over the Cleveland roster.

Senior Bowl: 10 linebackers for the Eagles to watch

Here are 10 linebackers at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl for the Eagles to watch

The Philadelphia Eagles will have a new coaching staff in 2021 and that could allow for a newfound desire to place value on the linebacker position.

The NFL is a new game and gone are the years of running backs getting 40 carries per game, or defenses serving with three down-hill, thumping style linebackers on the roster.

Alex Singleton and T.J. Edwards have been solid but the Eagles need an athletic, playmaking linebacker who can flourish in pass coverage.

Some of college football’s top linebackers have converged onto Mobile for the Senior Bowl and we’ve provided 10 that the Eagles should keep an eye on.