Cook looks to improve on disappointing combine at Seminoles' pro day

The first round could be on the line for running back prospect Dalvin Cook at Florida State's pro day Tuesday.

Cook tested very poorly at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier in March, turning in scores in the 40-yard dash (4.49 seconds), 20-yard shuttle (4.53 seconds), and 3-cone drill (7.27 seconds) that place him in the ninth percentile in terms of weight-adjusted SPARQ athletic profile.

In other words, nine out of 10 running backs in the NFL are better athletes than Cook.

That didn't show up on tape. Cook was a dynamic runner at Florida State, running for a combined 3,456 yards (6.7 yards per carry) and 38 touchdowns over the past two years, which led many analysts to predict he'll be selected in the first round of the draft.

But no running back with Cook's athletic profile has ever been drafted in the first round. It's quite a conundrum for NFL teams.

Cook will get the chance to prove he's a much better athlete than his combine times suggests when he takes the field Tuesday. If he does so, he could ensure he hears his name called before the first day of the draft ends.