[The Franchise]

Second Round:

#54 - Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
#7 rated WR
#39 in the Top 300 list.

BACKGROUND: Skyy Moore grew up in Steelers’ country just outside of Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania. He attended Shady Side Academy, where he was a fouryear letterman as a dual-threat quarterback and cornerback (teammates with WR/CB Dino Tomlin, the son of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin). After missing most of his sophomore year because of an ankle injury, Moore was named the 2017 Allegheny Conference Player of the Year on offense and defense (four interceptions) as a junior. As a senior, he led Shady Side to a 9-0 regular-season record, the 2018 conference championship and No. 1 ranking in Class 2A. However, Moore suffered a fractured ankle in the first round of the playoffs, ending his high school career. He earned First Team All-State and Conference Offensive Player of the Year (second consecutive year) honors as a senior with 1,412 passing yards, 1,590 rushing yards and 44 total touchdowns (22 passing, 22 rushing). Moore finished his prep career with more than 100 total touchdowns and became the first player in league history to run for 1,000 yards and pass for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. He also earned All-Conference honors as a point guard in basketball and ran track as a senior, setting a personal best in the 100 meters (11.86).

A three-star recruit out of high school, Moore was the No. 217 cornerback in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 44 recruit in the state of Pennsylvania. His recruitment picked up steam after his junior season with 15 offers, but much of the attention came from the FCS, including offers from the Ivy League. Moore committed to Western Michigan over Buffalo and Rice and moved from cornerback to wide receiver shortly after he enrolled. He elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Displays the short-area quickness to win at the line or out of his breaks ... large, sudden hands to quickly find and stab the football (largest hands among receivers at the Combine) ... has mastered pulling in throws behind him without breaking stride ... wasn’t targeted deep very often, but showed the tracking skills to do it ... runs strong, balanced routes ... uses stutter steps and functional strength to fight through the jam ... quickly leverages routes with his ability to defeat press ...instinctive with the ball in his hands ... compact body type and physical after the catch, slipping or breaking the first tackle after the catch ... competes with a massive
chip on his shoulder, both on and off the field ... a two-way player in high school, always thought of himself as a natural defensive guy, and brings that toughness to the wide receiver position ... one of only five FBS players to average at least 7.9 catches per game in 2021 and one of only four with at least 95 catches, 1,200 yards, and 10 touchdowns.

WEAKNESSES: Doesn’t always play up to timed speed ... needs to continue honing his setup and stem skills to create separation vs. NFL-level cornerbacks ... 85 percent of targets came within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage ... average-sized target for the quarterback ... willing as a blocker, but it is not a strength ... tends to drop his eyes and lunge, missing his block ... minimal special teams experience, and wasn’t used as a regular returner or coverage player ... missed two games because of injury the past two seasons and had a history of ankle injuries in high school: suffered a fractured left ankle as a senior (November 2018), requiring surgery, and missed almost all of his sophomore year because of a broken ankle (September 2016).

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Western Michigan, Moore was a boundary wide receiver (slot and outside) in offensive coordinator Eric Evans’ RPO-based scheme. A quarterback and cornerback in high school, he made the switch to receiver at WMU, learned under Dee Eskridge and became the first 1,000-yard receiver since Corey Davis (2016), averaging 5.7 catches per game over his 30 games for the Broncos. A physically and mentally tough competitor, Moore creates route leverage with his foot quickness and is extremely reliable at the catch point thanks to his large, sticky hands and quick-reaction ball skills. Although he isn’t an explosive YAC threat, he flashes natural instincts with the ball in his hands and makes it a chore for defenders to get him on the ground. Overall, Moore might have coverage, but he has outstanding hands and reflexes with the detail-oriented mindset to grow into a three-level threat. He projects best as an NFL slot receiver.

#62 - Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati
#6 rated S
#77 in the Top 300 list.

BACKGROUND: Bryan Cook grew up in the Cincinnati area and played quarterback at the youth level. He attended Mount Healthy High (north of downtown Cincinnati), where he was a four-year varsity letterman and played both ways as a wide receiver and cornerback. After helping Mount Healthy to a 12-win season and conference title as a sophomore, Cook earned all-league honors as a junior with 31 tackles and a pick-six interception. As a senior, he was named Honorable Mention All-District and First Team All-Conference with 35 tackles and three interceptions in 2016, adding three receiving touchdowns on offense. Cook also lettered in baseball at Mount Healthy.

A no-star recruit out of high school, Cook (at only 165 pounds) wasn’t ranked by online recruiting services and went widely overlooked by college programs. His only scholarship offer came from Howard, where he played two seasons as a cornerback. After the 2018 season, Cook entered the transfer portal and had the opportunity to return home and play at the FBS level, enrolling at Cincinnati in January 2019. He moved to safety with the Bearcats during 2019 spring practices but was forced to sit out during the regular season because of transfer rules (was eligible for the 2019 bowl game). Cook graduated with his degree in digital media collaboration (May
2021) with a 3.6 GPA. He accepted his invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl but was unable to participate because of a shoulder injury.

STRENGTHS: Excellent size/speed blend … above-average spatial awareness as a run defender, reading from depth to mirror and out-leverage the blocking scheme …his play anticipation keeps himself free to hunt … physical, but dependable tackling mechanics with his ability to settle his feet and wrap finish … high batting average as a tackler in one-on-one situations … former cornerback with the play speed and body control for coverage work … flashes a short-area burst in his movements to break with receivers … digests routes quickly to sort through and react … competes with a touch of extreme intensity with his motor and finish skills … his coaches use phrases like “incredible attitude” and “works his tail off” to describe his football character … played his best football as a senior and was one of only four FBS defensive backs to finish with at least 95 tackles and 10 passes defended in 2021.

WEAKNESSES: Average fluidity and man coverage skills … can be manipulated from deep because of his overaggressive play style … mediocre ball skills and will leave interceptions on the field … his few missed tackles on tape were usually because he stopped his feet too quickly, giving the ball carrier a chance to make a move …can do a better job with his hands to stay free of blocks … wasn’t used as a blitzer … only one full season as a starter at the FBS level … was not able to participate in the pre-draft process because of a left shoulder injury (January 2022) — expected to be cleared in May 2022.

SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Cincinnati, Cook was a strong safety in defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s 3-3-5 base scheme. After two seasons as a cornerback at Howard, he transferred to Cincinnati, where he waited his turn behind Darrick Forrest and James Wiggins (both picked in the 2021 NFL Draft) before emerging as a legitimate early-round prospect in 2021. Cook is one of the most reliable tacklers in this draft class with his ability to come to balance on the move, maintain a wide stance and strike low and physical through his target. In coverage, he has the athleticism and awareness to stay on top of routes, although he can be better with his body positioning downfield. Overall, Cook has room to raise his consistency level in coverage, but he is an above-average run defender with the physical traits and overachieving attitude to see the field early and often in the NFL. He should compete for a starting role in year one.
GRADE: 3rd Round (No. 77 overall)