Brandin Cooks and Odell Beckham Jr. emerge over the crowded field for 1.03 and 1.04. They were talked about highly during combine weekend by the NFL.com gang.

At the 1.03 spot, Odell Beckham Jr. was the surprise winner, but at just 23% of the overall vote. Brandin Cooks at 14% and Marqise Lee at 13% were the place and show positions in this horserace. After Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans dominated their polls, it was not a shocker that it turned into a scrambled mess starting at 1.03. All three of the highest vote-getters are in the compact-car size class of receiver options. Even Johnny Manziel received a vote in this one.

Chad’s Reaction:

While I like Odell Beckham Jr. just fine, thrusting him into the 1.03 position is more sizzle than steak. He may very well go in the first round of the NFL draft, but no matter what, I expect to like some, if not most, of the other top-7 receivers ahead of Beckham Jr. With the significant drop in the winners’ market share of the votes, it is easy to see the order from 1.03 to the end of the first round seeing a big shake-up come May.

Doug’s Reaction:

To me, this was the biggest reach of the UTH Rookie Mock thus far. It’s funny how timing works because I just read something about NFL GM’s being super high on Odell Beckham Jr. In fact most GM’s have him ranked as their number three overall wide receiver. I don’t personally have him ranked that high and would gladly take Brandin Cooks, Davante Adams, Allen Robinson and Jordan Matthews ahead of him. This selection just goes to show how deep this class truly is, but also what the masses are thinking at this point. Pick 1.03 is an awful lot to spend on Beckham Jr, but if you hold that draft position and someone is hot and heavy for him, you might just land yourself a kings ransom on draft day.

Brandin Cooks: Riser

At 1.04, Brandin Cooks gained market share with Beckham Jr. out of the way, winning the poll at 26%. Carlos Hyde at 22% moved past Marqise Lee for the second position with Lee plateauing at 15% of the vote. So Beckham Jr. was a post-combine riser compared to the general consensus a couple of months ago and Cooks followed suit with a top-4 projection by the UTHDynasty faithful.

Chad’s Reaction:

Brandin Cooks was probably a mid-second rounder if folks were polled back in January or early February. Since then, Cooks has progressively gained prominence to this height at 1.04. It is hard to argue with Brandin Cooks here with swirling rumors of the Eagles being interested and is impressive projection model score. With many viable options at 6’2″ and 6’3″ this year after Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans are gone, it is interesting that two sub-six-footers are the choices. Brandin Cooks’ draft stock seems to be higher in the Under the Helmet community than the elsewhere in dynasty land at the moment. I have a feeling Brandin Cooks ends up closer to 1.04 than 1.12 in most leagues at the end of the day.

Doug’s Reaction:

I honestly can’t remember if I’ve ever been higher on a wide receiver less than six feet tall, EVER. Brandin Cooks looks like an absolute stud muffin on tape and he is no slouch in the metrics department either. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Cooks ended up having a better career than Sammy Watkins – not at all. He does everything well. We’ve said this before on the Under the Helmet Podcast, but Cooks is what Tavon Austin owners wish they had on their hands. I really don’t see how this kid doesn’t end up being a star in the NFL unless injuries were to derail his career. Now I know UTH listeners and site viewers are a little more savvy than most, but I really hope the word about Cooks doesn’t spread like wildfire. He’s a guy I can see falling into the 1.07-1.12 range in rookie drafts. Ideally, that is where I’d like to get him. Gun to my head though and I couldn’t trade out of the 1.04, I’d snatch him up in the blink of an eye and wouldn’t even think twice about it. He is one of my “must draft” players out of this class.