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Demetrious Cox, FS, Michigan State: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Dylan Huberman

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) reacts to defensive stop against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) reacts to defensive stop against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft: Scouting report for former Michigan State Spartan and 2017 NFL Draft free safety prospect Demetrious Cox…

After a great junior season that resulted in third-team All-Big Ten honors, Demetrious Cox failed to reproduce similar success in 2016. While his regression may alarm some, his 2015 season will leave scouts hopeful he can return to form in the NFL.

Cox is a very interesting prospect. He was a coveted free safety at one point that could have gone very early in the 2016 NFL Draft. In a season where the Michigan State Spartans won the Big Ten Conference, he was set up for a big season.

However, a season that saw Michigan State finish amongst the bottom feeders of the conference with a 3-9 overall record in 2016, Cox saw his draft stock fall. Although he disappointed as a senior, some of his polarizing traits remained.

Measurables

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 200 lbs

Strengths

He was a versatile defensive back at Michigan State. During his junior season, he started eight games at cornerback and spent the other six over at safety. The Jeannette, Pennsylvania native can perform in zone coverage and handle receivers one-one-one.

Cox possesses the athleticism to cover the whole field. His feet serve him well, as he is known to be quite good at redirecting his momentum on a dime. This trait will serve him well in the NFL.

The former Spartan also knows where to be on the field. He puts himself in good position to make a play on the ball. Cox has a very good understanding of the game and can predict how things will play out, making this trait much more than just simple luck.

Weaknesses

He stares down the backfield for too long as plays are developing. If a passing play is on the docket, Cox can lose track of receivers while in coverage.

Staring down any part of the field can also cause late reaction times, as it does for Cox. By the time he gets his head unglued from the backfield, he’s a step behind the receivers. Making matters worse, he is late to the ball and can end up whiffing when trying to swat a pass.

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Most of the time, Cox is a sub par tackler. He recorded a whopping 14 total tackles last season against Wisconsin but that included 10 assists. Cox never had more than 4 solo tackles in a game last season, something teams will mark as a red flag in a league where safeties have to be able to make tackles.

Final Thoughts

Cox is an athletic defender who can cover receivers as a cornerback, safety, or fall back into coverage. He was set up for a strong senior season and would’ve surely been picked early the NFL Draft had he declared after last season.

However, he decided to return to East Lansing for his senior season, a season that would cripple his draft stock. On the CBS big board, he’s now the 427th overall prospect in the draft, good for the eighteenth free safety spot. He might not be picked at all now but if he does, it will be in the seventh round. He’ll more than likely have a chance to latch on as an undrafted free agent.

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