Denver Broncos Draft Countdown: Making the Case for DT Xavier Cooper

The Denver Broncos need help on the defensive line. More specifically, they need to add better depth and talent at nose tackle.

Currently, you can pencil in Sylvester Williams as their starting nose tackle. The Broncos' 2013 first-round pick had a decent rookie season where he appeared as a starter next to Terrance Knighton for about half the season. His second season did not go as well, and Williams struggled to impress with more snaps in 2014.

The nose tackle is the fulcrum of the 3-4 defense. In order for the defense to work most efficiently, the nose tackle needs to be a quality player who can free up the players around him to make plays.

If the Broncos are going to select a defensive tackle in this year’s draft, then Washington State’s Xavier Cooper would be a fine pick—here’s why.

College Career

Matt York/Associated Press

Cooper went to Washington State after starring as a prep basketball, track and football star. In the spring of 2011, Cooper was redshirted to develop his raw skill set.

As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Cooper had a large role for a young player. He appeared in 11 games (with nine starts), racked up 34 total tackles (18 solo), nine tackles for a loss and three sacks.

The 2013 season saw Cooper start all 13 games and put up career-best numbers with 51 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and five sacks. He also chipped in with three forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown from a fumble recovery.

During his final season with the Cougars, Cooper remained a productive starter for their 3-4 defense. He had 37 tackles and a team-high 9.5 tackles for a loss. Cooper was second on the team with five sacks.

He shined against the second-ranked Oregon Ducks in 2014. The Cougars defense sacked Marcus Mariota seven times, and Cooper compiled five tackles (two for a loss) and 1.5 sacks in that game.

For the 2014 season, Cooper was named WSU Defensive Lineman of the Year. He declared for the draft as a redshirt junior after the season.

Skill Set

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

An incredibly athletic defender, Cooper uses that speed and quickness to wreak havoc as an interior rusher. He can get off the snap quickly, and that speed can force opponents to hold him—and get called for holding as he gets by them in a flash.

When facing double-teams, Cooper does not shut it down. In fact, his motor still runs hot when facing two players tasked with stopping him. Cooper plays with a lot of energy, and that is evident when plays go away from him, as he pursues the ball-carrier with the same vigor he attacks the quarterback with.

Cooper does a good job of stunting his man with a punch after the snap. He doesn’t just attack the outside shoulder of an opponent. Cooper will set up inside moves too as he diagnoses the play unfolding in front of him.

Earlier this year at the scouting combine, Cooper ran a blazing 4.86-second 40-yard dash—the second-fastest time for any defensive tackle in Indianapolis for the event.

I interviewed Cooper on my ESPN Radio show in Denver on Wednesday. My first question for him was about his experience—and performance—at the combine.

“The combine experience was crazy. The hardest part was not getting enough rest…but that’s realistic to what it’s like in the NFL. It was a good feeling. I was confident in my training and confident in the people that helped me get there.”

He also talked about a windmill jam—his favorite dunk—that he can still throw down even though he’s almost 300 pounds.

While not known as a run-stuffer, Cooper is a one-gap penetrator who is best working toward the ball or the quarterback. At 6’3”, 293 pounds, Cooper’s weight is where it needs to be for him to be productive with his skill set.

The Competition

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Williams has to be penciled in as the starting nose tackle at this time. The team spent a premium pick on him two years ago, and Williams will be given every opportunity to prove that he can be an effective starter.

Broncos fans should give Williams another year to prove what he can do. After a somewhat encouraging rookie season where he started after Kevin Vickerson went down with a hip injury, Williams followed that up with a disappointing 2014 season.

Williams did not show the ability to control his man at the point of attack, and he rarely got much—if any—push up front against his man. Opponents were concerned with Knighton in the middle, and Williams did not make the most of his constant one-on-one opportunities.

Marvin Austin will also compete for playing time at nose tackle in 2015. The Broncos added Austin off the open market last year in a move that went under the radar. If healthy and motivated (both problems for Austin before his time in Denver), Austin might be a better starting option than Williams. Stamina and staying disruptive as the game and the season goes on would be question marks if Austin was the team’s starter.

This offseason, the Broncos added veteran defensive tackle Antonio Smith. He played defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders last year, but Smith was not effective playing a full-time role in that spot. With the Broncos, he should have more of a part-time role at defensive end. Smith can be moved inside to defensive tackle in certain situations if needed.

Summary

The team should have a much more aggressive defense in 2015. If they don’t have a good nose tackle, then opponents will be able to run the ball up the gut. They’ll also be able to evade edge pressure if there is no heat generated from the middle of the defensive line.

The Broncos may not have an answer at nose tackle right now. They need a guy who can bring more competition to the position, and they need a player with the upside to be a dominant player at the pro level. If they want to acquire an ascending talent—likely for a second-round pick—then Cooper should be added to the roster in the 2015 NFL draft.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.