Name: Myles Cole

School: Texas Tech

Year: Super Senior

Position: Edge

Measurables: 6’6”, 278 lbs.

Combine: ARM: 36 7/8". HAND: 9 7/8". VERTICAL: 35”. BROAD: 10’0”.

40-YD DASH: 4.67s. 10-YD SPLIT: 1.65s

Stats:

Courtesy of Sports-Reference.com

General Info:

Myles Cole isn’t your normal Redshirt Senior. He completed four years at the University of Louisiana-Monroe prior to making the shift to Texas Tech where he played another two. After a traditional Redshirt year in 2018, Cole played in 12 games as a rotational piece. He was putting together a more impactful (RS)Sophomore season before it was cut short due to COVID. That year, he started six of eight games and recorded his first sack. In his fourth year at ULM, he started six of 11 games, and started promoting his brand as a stout run defender.

Due to his additional eligibility, Cole transferred to the Texas Tech Red Raiders in his “first” senior season. He played both defensive end and outside linebacker and was a rotational piece in 13 games. He played nearly 300 snaps but was coming on strong towards the end of the year. Cole came back for his final year, and it should turn out to be a fruitful decision. He nearly doubled his snap count. He recorded 32 total tackles, including 6.5 for a loss. Perhaps most importantly, he showed a bit more prowess as a pass rusher. Cole led the Red Raiders with 27 pressures and was able to convert on 3.5 sacks. He even received an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection.

The jump to a power five school helped put Cole on the map and, at the very least, helped him plead his case during the run-up to the draft. This off-season, he attended the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Reese’s Senior Bowl before absolutely annihilating the NFL Combine. He initially impressed scouts with his measurements, standing 6’6’’ and nearly 280lbs with a wingspan of 7’3’’, largest of all defensive ends. Then, he took the field for drills.

Positional Skills:

Strengths

Myles Cole is one of the most athletic players to participate at the NFL Combine. Ever. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) was 9.93 out of 10.00. Taking his size and testing numbers into account, Cole has the 13th highest score out of nearly 1700 defensive ends since 1987. He even made social media headlines as the NFL Network coverage showed Cole simultaneously torching Patrick Mahomes in the 40-yard dash.

Cole’s athleticism shows up on tape as well. He has quick twitch off the line of scrimmage. His greatest weapon is his size. Cole’s arm length keeps defenders at bay so he can pull through them to the backfield. Cole is more polished in the run game, able to reach ball-carriers while still being engaged with potential blockers. He has good pad level and a strong base for leverage.

Weaknesses

Cole needs to learn how to fully utilize his astounding physical tools. He’s a bit one-track minded in both the run and pass games. He needs to add strength to his long frame. He can get bullied at the point of attack. When Cole misses his first step, offensive linemen easily erase him from the play. This led to a lack of production throughout his college career.

Similarly, against the pass, if his first and only move of rounding the outside does not go as planned, he gets washed out. He has little to no counter move. Cole will need proper NFL coaching to improve his hand usage so he can utilize those mitts to properly wedge, rip, and tear through the offense. He typically tries to avoid contact by slipping through and running around linemen. Cole's got the body to become a rotational player early, and, with improved technique, could become much more.

Fit with the Packers:

The Packers are willing to ignore many age and production requirements once we get to day three where Cole is projected. With six picks on the final day of the draft, Cole is the exact type of flier this organization loves to target. It’s a rule he must be on Brian Gutekunst’s draft board because he attended the Senior Bowl and posted a 9.93 RAS.

The Packers need rotational pieces on the defensive line, both for 2024 and beyond. Kenny Clark and Tedarrell Slaton led the d-line in snaps last year. Both are slated to be free agents after the season. There are some young players with potential, but bodies need to be added, especially after drafting ends suited for a 3-4 system over the past decade. The shift in alignment under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley could better suit a player like Cole. If the new coach can get the most out of Cole’s raw tools, the Packers could find a steal in the latter rounds of the draft.

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