The Kansas City Chiefs clearly appreciate having a strong group in the safety position.
Since the arrival of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnolo for the 2019 season, the team has awarded two free agent outside safeties multi-year contracts while also making two second-round picks in that span.
Most recent draft picks came last year when the team selected Brian Cook from Cincinnati. Cook immediately earned the third-ranked safety behind starters Justin Reed and Juan Thornhill, appearing on defense in every game outside of the concussion protocol’s Week 6 visit; he He played nearly 30% of the team’s total defensive snaps in 2022.
When Thornhill signed with Cleveland Browns This season, he opened the way for Cook to naturally grow into a starter. He’ll have competition to hold off, like signing free agent Mike Edwards or picking Chamarie Conner in the fourth round, but Cook’s year of growth in that system last year gives him an advantage.
I looked back at his rookie year to show his impact in 2023:
The evolution of his cycle
In a chiefs system, it is necessary for safety to have an impact in various ways. It allows Spagnuolo to remain unpredictable when he wants to be, especially on third downs.
This is where Cook made most of his impact last season: when the Chiefs deployed Dime personnel on clear passing runs. Their Dime Pack requires a third safety to replace the second linebacker in the formation.
To start the season, Cook was primarily given minor coverage responsibilities on those shots: half or quarter deep in area coverage to stay on top of the tracks developing in front of him. This freed up Reed to play closer to the line of scrimmage, whether he was guarding a tight end, running back, or battering out.
In Wk11 against LAC, Thornhill left the game with an injury, propelling Cook into the all-team lineups in one of the first major appearances.
He responded with relief from above, picking up the ways and communicating verbally pic.twitter.com/dGPPgM85sj
—Ron Kopp Jr. (Ron_Kopp) June 7, 2023
In Week 11 vs Los Angeles ChargersHowever, Thornhill left the game with a calf injury, relegating Cook to the starting lineups as he was no longer helped by his stance and simplicity.
Here, you can see him translate his freestyle safety skills on Dime downs into the full-time gig with clean coverage drops and energetic work tightening deep windows. You can also see him verbally communicate with his teammates before the snap, something he didn’t have to do as much as the third safety on the field.
With Thornhill also missing the next game, Cook played a total of 84 snaps over two weeks and gained valuable experience – and possibly confidence from the coaching staff.
He started that game and the next, giving the team an extended view of him as the starter. by the end of the reg. szn, we’ve been seeing it in a more broadened role, like training TEs. In week 16/17, he made some plays in those scenarios pic.twitter.com/GSA1whwzHo
—Ron Kopp Jr. (Ron_Kopp) June 7, 2023
This may be shown in weeks 16 and 17 vs Seattle Seahawks And Denver Broncos. Cook is used more to beat the tight end on Dime downs, and he does an effective job here: first, breaking up a quick pass and securing a tackle, then having the power of the punch to dislodge the completion prospect from the receiver’s grasp.
He also probably got more runway as a runway rusher, a skill he seemed comfortable with when given the chance throughout the year. The second play here is Week 16, in which Cook was sent on his eighth and final rush of the regular season; He exploded and got a quarterback hit.
In the three-game playoff run, Cook was fielded with four pass touchdowns – signifying an expanding role in the dime defense.
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So Cook has shown the ability to arrange different venues and take on different responsibilities – but that won’t go very far unless he can bring playmaking with him.
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Even with the addition of Mike Edwards, Cook progressed as a player throughout his rookie career, finishing strong with the INT tipped in the AFCCG
I got good glimpses of him playing around the ball pic.twitter.com/pwvXkmHcla
—Ron Kopp Jr. (Ron_Kopp) June 7, 2023
In flashes, Cook showed active hands when the ball was in the air or as a defender. He saved the best example for last—when his tip of the pass led to a game-breaking interception in Asian Championship. With the inside lever, trailing, Cook read the receiver’s eyes, turned to locate the ball and had the coordination to finish the throw deflection.
Cook showed some range, adding anticipation and speed to the ball for some big stops. I know he’s tagged in DPI, but I still think his getting there was pretty impressive pic.twitter.com/dbVLZKZu3K
—Ron Kopp Jr. (Ron_Kopp) June 7, 2023
Cook also has notable range in terms of getting plays in front of him quickly. He has good acceleration, but you can see a long stride on a few of these plays that takes his speed across the field into another speed. The second play of the segment was a defensive pass interference penalty, but it was a tough call; I still find it impressive that Cook got there.
communication
It’s almost a requirement for safety to have effective, meaningful communication when he’s on the field—and by all indications, Cook doesn’t mind talking loudly.
Spags Yesterday: “Guys who would blow it loud and be proud of it, right or wrong, I love those guys. [Bryan] Cook was like that last year.”
Nick Bolton last week: “If he’s 100% wrong, he makes you think he’s 100% right.”
This is one way to praise Cook’s confidence
—Ron Kopp Jr. (Ron_Kopp) June 2, 2023
Overall, Cook looks like a good player, with plenty of room to grow – but he makes you confident in the intangibles.
We have many quotes about him wanting to be vocal. You can see it in the field. The end to end communication here was a highlight for me pic.twitter.com/B0IkwHb9F3
—Ron Kopp Jr. (Ron_Kopp) June 7, 2023
Being prepared to speak out is the first step, which Cook has clearly gone over. Aside from the comments of those around him, I found this example from the AFC Championship match noteworthy. As the Bengals try to shake things up beforehand, Cook barks at cornerback Joshua Williams what he should know—and continues to communicate via the game-delaying penalty whistle.
bottom line
Chiefs hold the safety position in high regard, which is why they continually maintain a depth chart both on top and deep. That’s why they made the moves they did off the season, to continue to get the position as a powerhouse.
I see Cook as an important factor in maintaining the position as a powerhouse, and that means starting alongside Reid as the second primary safety. Edwards may have more NFL experience, but Cook has more experience in the scheme and has made great strides in progression throughout his entire rookie year.
I think he has the ability on the field and the intangibles to be a difference maker on the Chiefs defense in 2023 and beyond.