Robert Cooper is one of the more technical fighters I’ve seen in this draft class. Florida State ran a multiple scheme front where he was asked to play as both a 3-tech defensive tackle and a 1-tech nose tackle, and I think that he’s capable of playing both but best suited for a nose tackle at the NFL level due to his size and lack of mobility. Doesn’t perform too well as a 0-tech – much better suited in a gap. 

I think that Cooper’s upside is very limited because of his lack of length – he measured into the Hula Bowl with just 31″ arms. He has good hand finesse already considering everything and shouldn’t have any more growth to do. The only place I can see Cooper getting better is just building his body strength back up and playing effectively that way. 

This man is BIGGGG reason why LSU RBs had only 39 yards yards. @FSUFootball NT Robert Cooper was controlling the A-gaps. Big Coop definitely lived up to his Twitter handle—@trenchmonster1—last night in NOLA. 4-year starter is off to good start in ‘22.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/AhNwKFDVR7

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 5, 2022

Suffered an injury in 2018 that forced him to miss some time. Had shoulder surgery done after the 2022 season. Played through the season with the injury. 

Robert Cooper’s scouting report

Athletic Ability (45)

Athleticism: 15 

• Speed (4/7) – Not a particularly great athlete – won’t work to the boundary consistently. Will be relatively average in his position group at the next level.  
• Lateral Quickness (6.5/8) – Flashes some excellent lateral quickness. 

Strength/Power: 20 

• Upper Body Strength (4/7) – Not as strong in his upper body as you’d expect. Dominated talent that isn’t to the NFL level, but overall struggled against NFL-level players.  
• Lower Body Strength (5.5/7) – Great lower body strength to help create a drive back to the quarterback. 
• Brute Power (3/6) – Not so much of a brute, especially when facing NFL level players. 

Explosion/Burst: 10 

• First Step Burst (3/5) – Has a good, not great, first step. 
• Explosion (3.5/5) – Fairly explosive athlete.

Lineman Mechanics (20)

Containment: 10 

• Double Team Consistency (3.5/5) – Doesn’t consistently demand a double team. Can contain it well when they double him. 
• Double Team Win (4/5) – When he drew double teams, mostly from teams scheming to hit a gap with two blockers, showed a strong ability to get off and impact that gap. 

Hand Technique: 10 

• Hand Usage (3.5/5) – Uses long arms to create space and disengage. Very technical hand fighter, has a plan going into every rep. Does a great job neutralizing the blocker and appears to have a plan developed for every game. 
• Hand Strength (3/5) – Hands and arms could be stronger. Lack of length plays a factor here. 

Defender Ability (25)

Tackling/Pursuit: 15

• Tackling (6/8) – Works well off blocks to make tackles.  Solid in this regard.
• Gap Defending (2.5/3) – Solid gap defender. Has the ability to blow up plays in gaps. 
• Pursuit (2/4) – Not going to be much of a pursuit player outside of the tackles. 

Instincts: 5 

• Instincts (4/5) – Very instinctive player who is seasoned and has seen a lot of football. 

Pass Rush Ability: 5

• Pass Rush Consistency (3.5/5) – Has the ability to really get into the pocket. 

Overall: (71) – 5th/7th Round