Connor Cook

\Oakland Raiders' Connor Cook throws during an NFL football rookie minicamp in Alameda, Calif., Friday, May 13, 2016.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Connor Cook was supposed to be the new face of an NFL franchise by this point.

But his new coach thinks he's better off waiting in the wings for a bit.

Jack Del Rio, the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, spoke of Cook, the team's fourth-round pick, in an interview with SiriusXM last week.

Cook was at one point thought of as a potential first or second-round pick, a draft position that would have likely made him a starter or a starting candidate heading into his rookie season.

Instead, the former three-year starter with Michigan State will start his NFL career as a back-up, behind Derek Carr, who is entering his third year as the Raiders' starter.

Del Rio explained why Cook's situation is ideal: it allows him time to develop without the pressure that comes with being a starter from day one.

"It's a perfect situation, he does not have to come in here and be the face of our franchise right away," Del Rio said. He has a chance to come in here and learn the playbook and become a good teammate and join this organization and do everything he can to help us be a better team by being at his best every day. That's what we're expecting from him."

Del Rio also addressed the widely-reported character concerns that caused Cook's fall from the first or second round to the fourth -- and was mostly dismissive of them.

"Sometimes people get a little carried away, whether it's raising a guy up or knocking a guy down," Del Rio said. "We think he's a good player, we think he's got a good skill set. Some of the things about growing up, I've heard worse things about people that get drafted earlier."

Cook took part in the team's rookie minicamp last week before the team's offseason workout program was held during the week.

That gave Del Rio a chance to get to know his new quarterback, and the early returns are good.

"In my short time with him, I've been very impressed," Del Rio said. "I think he's bright, I think he's got good movement skills, I think he's got good arm talent, he's got good work ethic. It's a perfect situation in that we're not asking him to come in and be the face of our franchise."

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