Dylan Cole
Inside linebacker Dylan Cole contributed mainly on special teams and on nickel/dime packages in his rookie season. Cole had 32 tackles, two interceptions and a sack in his first season in the NFL. He was impressive in coverage and showed good ball skills from a player at his position. Cole had three pass deflections.
Against the Cleveland Browns, Cole was tasked with the assignment of covering Cleveland Browns’ running back Duke Johnson out of the backfield.
Johnson ran a decent wheel route, and Cole stayed step with step in a footrace that could have a led to a huge first down on a third and two play. Instead of simply breaking up the pass, Cole made a phenomenal play on the ball and racked up his second interception of the season.
The only negative on such a positive play is that he injured his hamstring on the end of this play and missed the next five weeks rehabbing. Calling Cole a future Pro Bowler is a stretch, but if he can stay healthy, he’ll be bound for a bigger role in his second year. He could join the likes of Arian Foster and A.J. Bouye as other gems that were found as undrafted free agents.