Johnie Cooks was drafted No. 2 overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1982 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. 128 regular-season games · 7 seasons as a starter · 40 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #2
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 1982
- NFL games
- 128
- Years as starter
- 7
- Career AV
- 4016th at Mississippi State
The pick
How Johnie Cooks came off the board in 1982.
- Position
- Linebacker LB
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
128 regular-season games · 7 seasons as a starter · 40 career approximate value
- Games played
- 128
- Seasons as a starter
- 7
- Career approximate value
- 4016th among Mississippi State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 2972% of career value
- Final season
- 19919 years after the draft
Around pick 2
Who came off the board on either side of Johnie Cooks.
Texas
USC · 1× All-Pro · 4× Pro Bowl
Ohio State
Mississippi State in the 1982 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other LB picks from Mississippi State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
K.J. Wright
LB · SEA · 2011
Mississippi State · 1× Pro Bowl
#120
Greg Favors
LB · KC · 1998
Mississippi State
#63
Willie Gay Jr.
LB · KC · 2020
Mississippi State
#228
Mario Haggan
LB · BUF · 2003
Mississippi State
#158
James Williams
LB · NO · 1990
Mississippi State
#220
Jamar Chaney
LB · PHI · 2010
Mississippi State
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Johnie Cooks in the 1982 NFL Draft
Johnie Cooks is a Linebacker out of Mississippi State selected No. 2 overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1982 NFL Draft. 128 regular-season games · 7 seasons as a starter · 40 career approximate value Mississippi State has produced 113 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Johnie Cooks drafted?
Johnie Cooks was selected No. 2 overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1982 NFL Draft (Rd 1). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1982/johnie-cooks.
What college did Johnie Cooks play for?
Johnie Cooks played college football at Mississippi State in the SEC. See every Mississippi State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/mississippi-state-bulldogs.
How did Johnie Cooks's NFL career turn out?
128 regular-season games · 7 seasons as a starter · 40 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1982/johnie-cooks.