One prospect the Denver Broncos are showing interest in and may select in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft is former Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook. He is a 6'4", 217lb quarterback who is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in this year's draft. Connor Cook is ranked as the 39th overall prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports, and is ranked as the 4th best quarterback in this year's draft.

During Cooks four-year career at Michigan State, he totaled 9,1194 yards passing, 71 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. He also had a career completion percentage of 57.5% during his career at Michigan State. This past season for the Spartans, Cook totaled 3,131 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. In 2015, Cook was awarded the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Big Ten Quarterback of the Year Award.

Connor Cook

Quarterback, Senior, Michigan State

Height: 6'4 Weight: 217lbs 40 time: 4.79 seconds

Arm Length: 33" Hands: 9 3/4"

Vertical Jump: 33 Inches(Top performer in his group at the Combine) Broad Jump: 113.0 inches

3 Cone Drill: 7.21 seconds

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths:

Played in a Pro Style offense

Worked under center and is comfortable doing things NFL teams will ask him to do

A gunslinger

Quickly goes through his reads

Has a quick release

Mobile and comfortable throwing on the move

Accurate deep thrower

Nice touch pass

Stands tall in the pocket and is not afraid to take a hit

Has an NFL arm

Shows good anticipation

Clutch on third downs

Aggressive quarterback

Probably the safest quarterback in this year's draft

Weaknesses:

He's a gunslinger which leads to bad interception and over aggressiveness

Accuracy is a concern

Short and intermediate accuracy wasn't great

Inconsistent play

Doesn't always set his feet

Didn't do well when under pressure

Struggled in big games

Lower ceiling than the other top quarterback prospects

Leadership was questioned, but doesn't appear to be true

Does Connor Cook fit with the Denver Broncos?

I could see it happening.

The Broncos need a quarterback and Connor Cook might be the most realistic option for the Broncos. Wentz and Goff will likely be off the board by the end of the top 10, and Paxton Lynch probably doesn't make it to the mid-20's, so that probably leabes Connor Cook the best quarterback available for the Broncos in the first round.

Cook would fit into Kubiak's offensive system rather well. He is already familiar with the pro-style aspects so that could be him day one ready. He has the athleticism to be effective on the bootlegs/roll outs, and while he doesn't have the strongest arm, he has a strong enough one to make all the throws asked of him.

I do not see him having the high ceiling as a Carson Wentz or Paxton Lynch have, but he could turn into a capable "game manager" who may turn into a good but not great NFL starter.

This might be a lazy comparison, but I compare him to two former Michigan State quarterbacks. Those two being Brian Hoyer and Kirk Cousins. All three have different strengths and weaknesses, but all three came from the same offense and both have the same upside. A game manager who could turn into a good but not great NFL starter. It is a lazy comparsion, but I like it.

I personally wouldn't love or really hate drafting Cook in the first round. I think the Broncos have enough talent on the team to be successful with Cook under center but I do not view him as the next Broncos Franchise quarterback. Just a guy who will do well enough to keep his job but will have fans looking for an upgrade four or five years down the road.