Cole Bishop NFL Draft Prospect Profile and Scouting Report
Utah Junior Safety Cole Bishop - 2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Name: Cole Bishop
School: Utah
Year: Junior
Position: Safety
Measurables: 6’2”, 206 lbs (Combine Measurements)
Combine: ARM: 29 3/4” HAND: 9 1/2” VERTICAL: 39” BROAD: 10’4” BENCH: 40-YD DASH: 4.45 seconds 10-YD SPLIT: 1.52 seconds
Stats:
Courtesy of Sports-Reference.com
General Info:
A three-star recruit out of Starrs Mill High School in Fayetteville, Georgia, Cole Bishop originally committed to play at Duke. A slew of offers from Utah, Stanford, and Vanderbilt caused him to reconsider, however, and Bishop eventually committed to playing his college ball for the Utes. Though he was not considered a top recruit, Bishop had an immediate impact on the field.
As a true freshman, Bishop played 10 games, starting all of the final six en route to being named a Pac-12 Honorable Mention. The Safety had a number of highlight moments, including a field goal block, a trio of sacks, and five pass break-ups. It was a highly successful season for Utah overall, as they appeared in the Rose Bowl for the first time in program history.
In his sophomore season, Bishop started 13 out of 14 games, becoming a full-time starter for the first time in his college career. His 83 tackles led the team, and an impressive six of them went for a loss. Bishop also recorded the first interception of his career, one of four passes defended he recorded during the season. For the second straight season, Utah won the Pac-12 before falling to the Big-10’s Rose Bowl representative. After the season, Bishop was once again named an Honorable Mention for the All Pac-12 team.
2023 was another very strong season for Bishop. In 11 games (10 starts) he managed 60 tackles (6.5 for a loss, 3 sacks). He was credited with an impressive 9.5 third-down stops (a play where he prevented the offense from converting). Bishop’s two interceptions were a career high, with three pass breakups tacked on. After the 2023 season, Bishop declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Bishop had a very active Draft preparation season, participating in both the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine. At the Senior Bowl, Bishop was able to make an impression on officials. Jim Nagy, the Senior Bowl Director, offered hefty praise for the Utah Safety, reporting that “...[Bishop is] not getting out of Round 2,” and that teams were impressed by his interviews and testing. An impressive performance at the Combine backed this up. His 4.45 second 40-yard dash was tied for the third best time among Safeties, and he showed impressive explosiveness in the Broad Jump and Vertical Jump.
Positional Skills:
Strengths
Experienced starter (29/35 career games).
Really solid numbers at Utah. Bishop was a tackling machine in college, and had a knack for backfield stops. 14 passes defensed (3 picks) in his career.
Excellent blitzer from DB spots. Recorded 8 career sacks, an enormous number for a defensive back.
Bishop is super versatile. One of the big questions about him was his ability to handle man coverage, a concern he did a lot of work to lessen at the Senior Bowl. Although he is probably best closest to the line of scrimmage as a box Safety, Bishop can play at any level.
Good instincts. Bishop has a knack for navigating traffic, and is usually pretty quick to ID routes. Times his jumps well.
Weaknesses:
Bishop is a big play hunter, and while he’ll have his splashes, sometimes it gets him beat. This has been particularly problematic when Bishop has lined up as deep, as his pursuit of an impact play can lead to him getting out of position and giving up big plays.
Not the most fluid hips. He’s a little stiff, which again makes him more vulnerable to being beat deep.
Sometimes over pursues against the run and when trying to make the tackle, creating room for ball carriers to get by him.
Fit with the Packers:
As I mentioned on my profile for Michigan LB Junior Colson, the Packers love players with championship pedigree, and Bishop has that. During his tenure, Utah won two Pac-12 Championships and (as is tradition) appeared in the Rose Bowl each of those seasons. Bishop is also a very good, though not quite elite, athlete. Green Bay’s need for a Safety, even after signing Xavier McKinney, is well documented, and the expectation is that they will target the position fairly early in the draft. With a lot of capital, there is a decent chance Bishop could be a target for Green Bay in the second round and potentially even in the first. Alongside McKinney, the Utah prospect could go a long way towards stabilizing the back end of the defense. With McKinney profiling as a deep Safety, too, Bishop would be free to be used in a variety of ways—especially close to the line of scrimmage, where he has been at his best.
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Comments (30)
T7Steve
April 02, 2024 at 09:22 am
What's not to like? Hope the best for him, regardless. 2nd rounder at best for us, I think.
Cheezehead72
April 02, 2024 at 09:59 am
He is a 4th but you might want to get him later 3rd to make sure you get him if you really want him.
T7Steve
April 02, 2024 at 10:02 am
Thanks.
Turophile
April 02, 2024 at 10:04 am
6'2", 206, 4.45 speed. 9.82 RAS. Very nice numbers for a Safety and as stated by Tristan, his weaknesses are best covered when he plays close to the line of scrimmage where he can utilise his quick play-diagnostic skills and hard hitting. This will allow McKinney to do what he does so well, be a deep safety. The Packers #88 and #91 picks look like the spot for him to be drafted, at the moment.
I prefer him to an equivalent prospect, Jaden Hicks as Hicks runs a 4.59 to Bishop's 4.45, though that speed difference matters less if you have advanced play-recognition skills that give you 'a step in the head', as I like to call it.
I like Bullard as a prospect too, though he is shorter (5'10"), he has better metrics than later picks (tackling, run defense, zone coverage, man/press coverage). He goes earlier than Hicks or Bishop and is a more polished prospect than either. Expect him to go either at the bottom of round 2 or right st the top of 3.
I wouldn't be surprised if neither Nubin or Kinchens are on the Packers big board. Their athletic scores are just poor and Gute does love high RAS scores.
PS Colson was also referred to in the article. He is a favourite inside linebacker, especially known for his excellent tackling and might be there at #58.
DoubleJ
April 02, 2024 at 10:36 am
Hicks ran a 4.48/40 at his pro day but didn't run at the combine.
https://sports.yahoo.com/washington-states-hicks-jackson-improve-1216005...
I'm not a fan of Bishop not having done the agility drills. I don't even see any results from his pro day on those tests. Hicks didn't have a good shuttle but his 3-cone was very good. Overall I think that Bishop and Hicks are probably the best overall safeties in the draft with how poorly Nubin and Kinchens tested.
golfpacker1
April 02, 2024 at 02:05 pm
And Hicks & Bishop fall right in line with pick #58, so instead of being forced to pick DeJean @ #25, and having him switch to Safety which he hasn't played, GB can get a player that has starred @ Safety a round later.
DoubleJ, this draft is setting up perfect to fill our needs whether we stay @#25 or if we trade back. Even if we move back to #42, we can pick a great multi position OL with our first pick. The second pick has to be for LB, and I also like Colson the best. He is way more consistent than Cooper and has no question marks like Wilson does.
The next pick lines up perfectly to get the jump on other teams for Hicks or Bishop @ Safety. The trade back gives us the bonus of another 2nd or 3rd round pick, plus more than likely another early DAY 3 pick.
The next 3 picks are CB, RB and whatever we want. What a great start to the draft for GB.
LLCHESTY
April 02, 2024 at 11:02 am
Bullard spent less time in the box than he did deep or in the slot. I think(hope) they're looking a player that's spent more time in the box.
jannesbjornson
April 02, 2024 at 01:50 pm
Most are calling Bullard a slot CB.
LLCHESTY
April 02, 2024 at 06:53 pm
Tykee Smith played the majority of slot snaps for Georgia last year but Bullard played quite a few there the year before.
Alberta_Packer
April 02, 2024 at 10:49 am
I think that Bishop would have more appeal to the Packers as a 2nd/3rd round pick - than DeJean as a 1st rounder - where Gutekunst would probably prioritize a premium OT or CB. For what it's worth - former Packer Mike Wahle thinks very highly of Bishop.
golfpacker1
April 02, 2024 at 02:09 pm
100% agree Alberta, Why spend #25 on a player that has to change positions to something he hasn't starred at before? I love DeJean, he is a Hawkeye like me, but we get the most value out of picking OL with our first pick whether @ #25 or trading back. #41 is for the best LB. And grabbing the Safety @ #58 or in the 3rd. If we trade back we will have another 2nd rounder or early 3rd too.
Alberta_Packer
April 02, 2024 at 03:51 pm
An another topic gp1 - and not meaning to be incendiary - but did you not select Jaylen Wright (3rd round) - in your recent mock? My curiosity was sparked. Was Bucky merely not available or perhaps an intellectual shift of tectonic proportions? Or a private matter that you simply don't want to talk about?
golfpacker1
April 02, 2024 at 07:10 pm
No problem Alberta, I like Bucky Irving a lot and think he would be great in GB, I have come to the realization that there is so much RB talent in this draft that GB would have trouble screwing this up. Jaylen Wright helped himself the most @ the Combine. He is faster than Irving but doesn't make people miss as easily as Irving does. Wright, Benson, and maybe Brooks will be the first 3 taken, but maybe if we trade back from #25 and get another extra 2nd or an early 3rd, we could still have a shot @ Wright.
I can easily see a move back from #25 because we would still get a starting IOL as late as #45.
How cool would it be for GB to have 4 picks in the 2nd round. Then the Packers should ask us what to do because we have mock draft experience with that many picks. HaHa
Alberta_Packer
April 02, 2024 at 08:57 pm
I would also have to forsake my draft crush (Tyrone Tracey Jr.) - for Jaylen Wright.
My over-under for the no. of trades by Gutie in this draft is 3. It seems that he's usually adept at working the draft board. This year could be one of his finest.
It's probably for the best that I have more Packers picks on my draft board - than Gutie has my picks on his draft board.
Do the Hawkeyes always have 4-5 players in every draft? If so, it must be awesome as a fan.
golfpacker1
April 03, 2024 at 02:39 pm
The Hawkeyes have been kind of a bland team over the years. Really great defenses every year under DC Phil Parker. Our offense has been pathetic with the coaches son Brian Ferentz in over his head as OC. The school said enough and fired him so there is hope.
The Hawks that get drafted usually come from the defense but we also have had some excellent TEs over the last 5 years, Kittle, T J Hockenson, and Sam Laporta to name a few. Iowa players are usually no nonsense, fundamentally sound guys who don't cause any trouble. That must seem like dream players for most coaches.
LLCHESTY
April 02, 2024 at 10:50 am
I think Mustapha goes a round or so after Bishop but has more upside. Ran a 4.52 40 but looks faster than Bishop on the field. He's a see ball get ball player that tackles full speed without hesitation. Might need some time to develop but if they brought in a one year guy like Gipson he'd be worth the wait. Packers haven't had a hotter like him in quite awhile.
https://twitter.com/DiehardFalcFan/status/1773011163510387189?t=M_U0C56y...
golfpacker1
April 02, 2024 at 02:54 pm
How big is Mustapha LL? Is he closer to 5'9 than 5'10? I like him a lot, and as far as hitting goes, he has been compared to Bob Sanders. Even though that comparison is a reach for any player, Speed kills and Mustapha has it, he is a good one who the Packers should want.
LLCHESTY
April 02, 2024 at 05:23 pm
5'-10¼"
Colts resigned Blackmon to a one year deal so not a lot of options left for a SS.
stockholder
April 02, 2024 at 06:07 pm
But there is only one sure Tackler.
Nubin
golfpacker1
April 03, 2024 at 02:50 pm
Nubin had 53 tackles last year.
Mustapha-80 tackles 2023
Oladapo-73 tackles 2023
Bishop -60 tackles 2023
Hicks-76 tackles 2023
Bullock-61 tackles 2023
Kinchens-59 tackles 2023
Bullard-56 tackles 2023
Brade-75 tackles 2023
If he is the one sure tackler, he doesn't seem to make very many, maybe he was resting
Give me Hicks @ #58 and Tyler Owens-Texas Tech @ #202
stockholder
April 03, 2024 at 04:19 pm
Mustapha-80 tackles 2023?
I saw he had 78 of 89..
Also he played FS and the slot @ 5'10.
He's a good player for the 4th rd.
golfpacker1
April 02, 2024 at 07:19 pm
LL, I just read Mustapha ran a blistering 4.33 40 and jumped 41.5 inches @ his pro day. That will push him ahead a little in the draft. I thought I read he has played all over the Safety positions too. Would love him in GB.
WD
April 02, 2024 at 10:53 am
After checking out Andy's mock draft I like a trade down in the first to draft OL Tyler Guyton at 31. And then get an additional pick in the third round. We can use that pick to draft up in the second to get possibly either E,Cooper or Payton Wilson at ILB. Then at 58 we could then draft Cole Bishop. Before we get to round three we will have addressed OL. ILB and Safety, with premium picks. That would be a helluva good start.
golfpacker1
April 02, 2024 at 02:17 pm
No need to trade up WD, at least Wilson and Colson will be available @ #41, probably Cooper is too. A lot of mocks have him available after #41. The trade back @ worst gets us another 3rd and an early Day 3 pick too.
Honestly I am not any more keen on Guyton than I am on King Sua, Jordan Morgan and Kiran Amagadjie. And we don't have to spend a first rounder on them. Guyton is short on experience and might not be as good as Oklahoma's other OT Walter Rouse. And all three of the other OTs can play OG too.
Alberta_Packer
April 02, 2024 at 03:28 pm
My ideal scenario is for 4 second round picks. My guess is that Gutie will downsize from 11 picks to 9 - with most of his heavy lifting to be done in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
WD
April 03, 2024 at 07:03 am
I agree completely. Four second round picks! Offer what ever is needed to the best taker.Hell offer a number 3 or 4 in the 2025 draft. After the top 15-20 picks are gone the values are in the second round. In this draft we can address ALL our needs in the second round! We need two Linemen on offense and ILB and Safety on defense. It is not that complicated. In the third round grab Max Melton at CB. After that it is best available at any position.
splitpea1
April 02, 2024 at 10:59 am
No way he's going in the first round--most reports have him going somewhere between the late second to mid-fourth. I'd be interested in him at or beyond our second third-round pick at #91--we could certainly use an enforcer/thumper type around the LOS.
Alberta_Packer
April 02, 2024 at 09:09 pm
An enforcer/thumper? Also as a hockey fan - I approve.
Racingdad
April 02, 2024 at 11:46 am
IMHO gb takes an olineman in first -guyton or king sue. In second to me it’s junior colson and bishop or hicks in which order depends on how draft falls in the third it’s a cb - love melton if he makes it that far or jarian jones and a guard ( mahogany or McCormick ) that would be an awsome start P s I believe Mike wahle and watson’s dad that bishop won’t make it out of second round and he’s the best fit for gb hicks next . Also an extreme wild card pick in first would be wr ad Mitchell he’d be a great packers type . We all know gb would not do this BUT never say never
golfpacker1
April 02, 2024 at 02:19 pm
Sua, Colson, and Hicks would be a super way to start the draft for the Packers. As long as we don't do something stupid like trading up, this could be GBs best draft ever.