Gang Green Nation
Taking a look at a rookie Jets quarterback
The New York Jets recently signed former Missouri quarterback Brady Cook as an undrafted free agent. Today we break Cook down in detail.
The 23-year old Cook is listed at 6’2” and 215 pounds. He started 39 games in five seasons with the Tigers. He passed for over 9,000 yards and 49 touchdowns with just 15 interceptions, while also rushing for 20 scores.
Background
Cook was a three-star high school recruit who headed to Missouri and redshirted his first season in 2020, although he did see brief action in three games, completing six of seven passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.
His first full season in 2021 saw him make five appearances as a backup before getting his first career start in the Tigers’ bowl game. He had 238 passing yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 53 yards and a score in that game. Prior to that game he had 107 passing yards and a touchdown in reserve duties.
Cook won the starting role in 2022 and started every game as he passed for over 2,700 yards with 14 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He also rushed for a career-high 585 yards and six scores.
He returned to the starting role in 2023 and set career marks with over 3,300 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns. He threw just six interceptions.
In 2024, Cook announced that he was returning and was named as the starter again, although he missed one game through injury. His numbers were down slightly but he still accounted for 16 total touchdowns with just two interceptions.
During his career, he passed for over 400 yards in a game once and over 300 on another four occasions.
Cook wasn’t invited to the Senior Bowl, but did play in the Hula Bowl and the Shrine Bowl, and was invited to the NFL scouting combine. He reportedly practiced well at both all-star games but was just 2-for-10 with an interception and a fumble in the Hula Bowl. He fared better at the Shrine Bowl, completing six of nine passes, but was sacked twice and fumbled once.
After Cook went undrafted, the Jets signed him to an undrafted free agency deal with $30K guaranteed.
Let’s move on to some more in-depth analysis of what Cook brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
While Cook lacks ideal height, he has a strong frame and can take a hit. He’s also an excellent athlete.
He ran sub-4.6 at the scouting combine and his 37-inch vertical was five inches better than any other quarterback this year. His broad jump was even better, just one inch shy of the all-time combine record. His agility numbers were also excellent.
Arm Strength
Early on in his career, Cook’s arm strength was something that was heavily criticized. However, it emerged that he had played almost his entire first season as a starter with a shoulder...
