Case File No. 37: Cooper Flagg

 

Cooper Flagg. Photo Credit: Gregory Payan/AP.

Today, I open the case file of Cooper Flagg, a five-star recruit who has committed to Duke. He led his high school to their eighth national title, and was ranked the third best prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.

Position: Small forward 

HT: 6-9 WT: 205

College: Duke 

Class: Freshman 

Credentials:

National High School Player of the Year (2024)

Strengths:

-Can shoot on all levels 

-Can score in multiple ways 

-Good ball handler 

-Absorbs contact and finishes when attacking the basket 

-Able to maintain his dribble through traffic and when defenders get into his body 

-Runs the floor 

-Very good shot blocker

Weaknesses:

-Thin frame 

-Dribble looks languid at times 

Final Analysis:

Cooper looks the part of a Top Three recruit. There wasn't much I saw that I didn't like. He can shoot on all levels: off the dribble, spotting up, pull-ups, and coming off screens/picks.

He can create his own shot, usually using jab steps to create separation. He's able to absorb contact and finish when attacking the basket.

Very good ball handler, he's able to maintain his dribble through traffic and make plays. Although he looks to score most of the time, he is a capable passer with good vision and timing.

An aggressive shot blocker, quite often I saw him rotating to block shots or chase down blocks. 

Like most shot blockers, he tends to fall for pump fakes and head fakes. He has a thin frame, and while this might not be much of an issue in college, players will look to overpower or bully ball him at the next level.

His dribble looks sluggish and lazy at times, as if he's just going through the motions. That he needs to be mindful of because occasionally falling asleep, so to speak, can get him trouble at the next level where there are more aggressive defenders.

Considered to be one of the top prospects for next year's NBA draft, with his length, versatility, and being able to score at a high level consistently, I wouldn't be surprised if he's a one-and-done player after this upcoming season.

Case File No. 36: Trevor Lawrence

 

Trevor Lawrence. Photo Credit: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images.

Today, I open the case file of Trevor Lawrence, who recently became the highest paid player in the NFL. Despite the numbers, he has had an okay start to his career. There has been talk of him being a bust. I'll give my take on that later.

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars 

Position: Quarterback 

HT: 6-6 WT: 220

Credentials:

Pro Bowl (2022)

CFP Champion (2018)

2x First-team All-ACC 

Strengths:

-Resilient 

-Good poise in the pocket 

-Quick release 

-Makes tough throws 

-Very good arm strength 

-Can make plays with his feet 

Weaknesses:

-Turnover prone 

-Will force some throws 

-Doesn't always protect the ball 

-A bit inconsistent 

Final Analysis:

Trevor has the size (6-6, 220) that most coaches covet. Not prone to injury, but if injured, will usually play through it. I think his pocket presence is pretty good. He goes through his progressions and gets the ball out of his hands quickly.

He's very good at making tough throws, fitting balls into tight windows, completing passes in awkward positions. Has very good arm strength, with nice placement on his deep throws. Can make plays from the pocket as well as with his legs.

His biggest issue is the turnovers. He will force throws at times, and I think that's part of what leads to the interceptions, but he also doesn't always protect the ball the way he needs to, which leads to strip sacks.

Despite having pretty good numbers overall, Trevor has had an okay start to his career. He guided the Jaguars to their first playoff win since 2018 in comeback fashion, but regressed a little last season.

He has been hot and cold so far; the aforementioned comeback playoff victory is another example of that. He threw three interceptions in the first half, which was part of how the Los Angeles Chargers took an early lead, but bounced back in the second half to guide the Jaguars to a seemingly improbable victory.

There's a lot to like about Lawrence's game, he just needs to be more consistent and smarter with the ball. Right now, I think he's overhyped, but I don't think he's a bust. However, I think he has the upside to live up to the first overall pick status. 

Case File No. 35: Jordan Travis

Jordan Travis. Photo Credit: Joshua Bessex/Getty Images.

 

 

Today, I look into the case file of Jordan Travis. A fifth round pick by the New York Jets, I think he would've went higher if it weren't for his injury.

Team: New York Jets 

Position: Quarterback 

HT: 6-1 WT: 200

Credentials:

ACC Player of the Year 

ACC Offensive Player of the Year 

First-team All ACC 

Strengths:

-Respected leader 

-Poised in the pocket

-Accurate 

-Has the arm strength to make most throws

-Can make plays from the pocket and with his feet

Weaknesses:

-A bit undersized 

-Injury prone

-Occasionally escapes the pocket too quickly

Final Analysis:

Jordan has an effortless way he quarterbacks the game, and that's something you can't teach. He has poise, usually able to make throws in the face of pressure, and he's accurate. He doesn't have a rocket arm, but he can make most throws.

He can beat you from the pocket as well as with his legs. He had the respect and admiration of his teammates, and I think it was mostly due to his resiliency and overcoming adversity.

Listed at 6-1, 200 pounds, he's a bit undersized for the position, and he has had occasions where he escaped the pocket too soon. I think both of these are part of what led to him being plagued with injuries, having a small frame and sometimes taking hits that he shouldn't have.

Overall, I think he's an underrated talent who would've been at least a third round pick if it wasn't for a season-ending injury late last season. As I've mentioned in my 747 blog, he's in a perfect situation, sitting behind Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor for a year or so, which gives him time to learn and develop and recover from his injury. He just need to get stronger and polish a few areas. I think he will be ready to take over as the leader of New York when his time comes.