Javion Cohen (OG) – Alabama/JR
6’4”, 305 Lbs. (Unofficial)
2021 Stats: 14 games, 1073 snaps; conceded 28 quarterback hurries, 6 quarterback hits, and 0-sacks at Left Guard.
{https://rolltide.com/sports/football/roster/javion-cohen/8065}
Awards: {Selected to SEC All-Freshman Team in 2020}
Measurables: (AVAILABLE POST COMBINE/PRO DAY)
Games Watched: 2021 vs. Georgia; 2021 vs. Auburn
PRO’S
Cohen is an all-around Left Guard who is good enough in run blocking and better in pass protection, which his zero sacks allowed in 625 snaps against top-end talent in 2021 is indicative of. He is an athletic big man, and his athleticism and high football IQ lead many scouts to believe that he could play 4 out of the 5 OL positions (in my opinion, playing either of the OT positions is asking a bit much). Cohen’s high football IQ is exemplified in his proven success in picking up stunts, twists, and success at combo blocks. Cohen has good strength and he anchors very well in pass protection to wall-off pass rushers. Takes good angles in the run game.
CON’S
There is definite room for improvement in Cohen’s run blocking. The problem is that he does not keep his feet moving so while he is effective in getting his hands on, engaging, and sealing a player off, he does not push the pocket because he too often is not pushing his opponent backwards. Additional knocks against him is his lack of lateral quickness and deficiency in mirroring ability (both of which leads me to believe that any speculation that he could possibly play OT at times is overblown). He did receive a decent 65.5 run-blocking grade from PFF in his ‘21 campaign, so he is not helpless in this area.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Cohen enters the ‘22 season as the #1 OG in the NCAA (at least in this writer’s opinion) after going 625 snaps in ‘21 as Left Guard without giving up a sack. This was as he played next to OT stud Evan Neal who is now in the NFL, so I am excited to see how Cohen performs as the big brother on the left side of the line with a less experienced line mate at Left Tackle. This writer remembers the days when highly-touted Alabama Offensive Linemen did not live up to billing, but the opposite has been true for a while now. Cohen should be the next stud interior OG out of Tuscaloosa to anchor the middle of an NFL line when drafted somewhere in the late 1st round of the 2023 draft. While he appears to be a pro-bowl Left Guard in the making, the potential for real positional versatility will make NFL General Managers drool.
ADDITIONAL NOTE
It was reported by ESPN on July 5th that Cohen “revealed in an Instagram post on Tuesday that he spent the past month at a rehabilitation facility in Massachusetts for mental health reasons,” and he cited the pressure that comes with being an athlete. Professional athletes are opening up more and more about mental health issues. It is excellent to see more prominent people in all walks of life openly discussing mental health. It may wind up making NFL talent evaluators somewhat hesitant when judging his draft value, but I hope not.
Completed by: @josephclark, 09/2022
