Is Missouri quarterback Brady Cook a sleeper in the 2025 NFL Draft with his scouting report?
Here’s the rundown on Cook’s production at the collegiate level, his traits, and whether or not he projects as a future starter in the NFL.
Brady Cook’s Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 205 pounds
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Missouri
- Current Year: Redshirt Senior
Cook is living the college football dream. He was born in St. Louis, Mo. He grew up in St. Louis County and distinguished himself as a three-star recruit at Creve Couer High School. Cook then signed with the team he grew up rooting for each Saturday: The Missouri Tigers.
It took Cook a couple of years to rise into the starting position. But now, he’s a starting quarterback and captain for his childhood team and glowingly represents the local brand.
Cook first emerged in 2022 when he passed for 2,739 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while running for 585 yards and six scores. But a 2023 campaign that saw him amass 3,317 passing yards and 29 total TDs is what truly earned him recognition as one of the SEC’s best.
Cook is a good college QB if there ever was one — but can he continue to represent St. Louis and Missouri in the NFL? What does his professional projection look like?
Cook’s Scouting Report
Strengths
- Capable off-platform thrower who can lead RAC threats in the short range.
- Extremely explosive, agile runner with great short-area energy and solid play strength.
- Has the speed and bend to corner near the boundary and extend plays versus pressure.
- Has enough arm elasticity to layer intermediate and deep passes with touch and loft.
- Mechanically sound QB when in phase, employing level shoulders and base rotation.
- Has the corrective twitch and quickness to reset his base after relocating in the pocket.
- Has good general accuracy, especially in the short-range, where he’s able to dish quickly.
- Generally has solid control with lower body mechanics and good depth discipline.
- Flashes the ability to slide away from pressure and reset while keeping his eyes up.
- Possesses solid pressure sense, and can quickly recognize interior and exterior threats.
- Has shown he can recognize opportunities on out-breakers and throw to WR leverage.
- Has the discretion to pass up ill-advised throws and throw it away when nothing is open.
- Workmanlike team captain who plays at a high pace with exchanges and misdirection.
Weaknesses
- Arm strength is average at best, which can impact velocity drive to multiple ranges.
- With average arm strength, margin for error with break anticipation is much smaller.
- Arm elasticity and angle freedom, while good enough off-platform, are not elite traits.
- Doesn’t always have the strength to drive passes to lateral RAC threats at torso level.
- Dropback footwork can be segmented, with a heel click that saps away at rotation.
- Concave release can sometimes push short and intermediate passes high.
- Generally accurate passer, but sometimes lacks situational precision when it’s required.
- Is sometimes late to get to his dropback depth, which can cause delays on release.
- On occasion, bails from clean pockets prematurely, creating chaotic situations.
- Sometimes passes up open sit routes, losing time to pressure in the pocket.
- Hesitation can leave quality tight-window anticipation opportunities untested.
- Can improve his post-snap adaptability when rotations muddle passing windows.
- Sometimes predetermines deep shots and tosses slow-pace balls into double coverage.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Entering the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, Cook grades out as a late-Day 3 prospect who could ultimately slip into the undrafted free agent pool.
Were he to go undrafted, Cook would be a priority free agent with plenty of appeal as a depth QB and eventual backup.
Cook’s evaluation is unique and relatively simpler than other passers. It’s easy to see where his upside lies — his athleticism and toughness — and it’s easy to see where his potential is limited — his arm strength and composite arm talent.
Cook’s average arm will likely prevent him from ever becoming a full-time starter at the professional level. But outside of his lacking arm talent, he has a decent operational framework. He’s not a great processor, but he has good mechanics and general accuracy, solid pocket management skills, and good discretion as a decision-maker.
Though he doesn’t have much appeal as a developmental starter, Cook’s athleticism, toughness, leadership ability, and baseline operational traits give him an appealing floor as a potential backup and safety blanket, especially for schemes that value QB rushing ability.