Ross Cockrell

Entering the 2014 NFL Draft, many analysts and scouts had Cockrell projected as a third or fourth round draft choice. He was described as agile, consistent, aware, with good anticipation and a good feel for the game. The main issues that worried scouts were physical attributes like having small hands, a skinny lower body, thin frame, short arms, and his lack of strength during press coverage and taking on blocks. He attended the NFL combine in Indianapolis and was able to perform all the drills well.[7] Although he had a good showing at the combine, Cockrell decided to participate in all the events during Duke's Pro Day. He was able to improve on all of his combine numbers, including a sub-4.40 in the 40-yard dash, 12 bench presses of 225 lbs, and a 39-inch vertical.[8]

Cockrell was selected in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.[9] It made him the highest Duke football player drafted since Lennie Friedman with the 61st selection of the 1999 NFL Draft.[10] On May 15, 2014, the Bills signed Cockrell to a four-year, $2.68 million rookie contract.[11][12]

On August 31, 2015, Cockrell was released by the Bills.[13]

On September 5, 2015, Cockrell signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[14] Despite signing with the team five days before the opening game of the 2015 NFL season, he received significant playing time that year, beginning in the Steelers' second regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers.[15] On October 1, 2015, he intercepted his first career pass from Baltimore Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco and returned it for 37-yards. The following game, he collected a season-high 7 solo tackles against the San Diego Chargers. On the year, he played 62% of the Steelers' defensive snaps.[16] During the regular season he recorded 44 tackles, 11 passes defensed, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and recovered one fumble.[17] In his first season with the Steelers, Cockrell played in 15 regular season games, and started in seven of those.[9]

On January 22, 2016, the Steelers signed Cockrell to a one-year contract extension worth $600,000.[18][19] He began the season as the Steeler's second cornerback, opposite longtime veteran William Gay. In the season opener against the Washington Redskins, he made four combined tackles in the Steelers 38-16 victory. On October 9, 2016, Cockrell collected four solo tackles and three pass deflections during the Steelers 31-13 rout of the New York Jets. The following week, he made a season-high five solo tackles and two pass deflections in a 15-30 loss to the Miami Dolphins. On November 13, 2016, he made four solo tackles, an assisted tackle, and a pass deflection during a 35-30 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Three days later, he was fined $9,115 for a late hit against Lucky Whitehead during the loss to the Cowboys.[11]

On December 25, 2016, Cockrell recorded a season-high seven combined tackles as the Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 31-27 and clinched the AFC North. He finished the 2016 season with a career-high 62 combined tackles, 14 pass deflections, and 16 regular season starts. On January 8, 2017, Cockrell started in his first career postseason game and made eight solo tackles in a 30-12 AFC Wild Card Game victory over the Miami Dolphins.[20]

On September 2, 2017, Cockrell was traded to the New York Giants after the Pittsburgh Steelers signed cornerback Joe Haden after his release by the Cleveland Browns.[21]

On March 23, 2018, Cockrell signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.[22] During training camp on July 30, 2018, Cockrell suffered a broken left tibia and fibula which required surgery.[23] He was placed on injured reserve two days later.[24]

In week 3 of the 2019 season against the Houston Texans, Cockrell intercepted a pass thrown by wide receiver Deandre Hopkins and returned it for 37 yards in the 16-10 win. [25] In week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cockrell intercepted a pass from Jameis Winston in the 37-26 win. [26]