So far most of the quarterback talk going into the NFL draft has centered on the big three of Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch. So what about Connor Cook?
The general agreement among most experts is it’s likely four quarterbacks will go in the 1st round and Cook is the favorite to be the fourth. It’s just a matter of when. Judging by recent rumors, the chances are teams are going to be fighting each other to move high enough to get him.
According to Walter Football, both the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns are heavily exploring moving up from the 31st and 32nd picks.
"“However, in speaking to sources, the Browns and Denver Broncos have been speaking to teams to feel out potential deals to trade up from their picks at 31 (Denver) and 32 (Cleveland). One team that both teams have had discussions with is the Green Bay Packers, who have the 27th-overall selection. An intriguing bonus for the Browns moving back into the opening round from the initial selection of the second frame is the fifth-year option that comes with rookie contracts of first-round picks. It isn’t expensive to move up just a few spots, and that extra season of a cheap rookie contract with a player in their prime years is very valuable, especially if the player is a quarterback. If the Browns pass on a quarterback with the No. 8 selection, don’t be surprised if they look to move up from pick 32 to land a young signal caller to compete with Robert Griffin III. Denver also is in the quarterback market. In speaking to league contacts, they believe the Broncos would draft Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch if he got to them, but many around the league don’t think that Lynch will reach the Broncos. Trading up with Green Bay would allow Denver to leap division rival Kansas City (28th pick), who also could consider Lynch.”"
The assumption that Lynch will be there so late in the 1st round is unlikely. Expectations are now that two quarterbacks are anticipated to go #1 and #2 in the top 10, it pushes Lynch higher on the board. Some project him going as high as 7th to San Francisco. Reasonably though the odds are he doesn’t make it past Buffalo at #19 or the New York Jets at #20. So if Green Bay really is destination point, it’s far more likely the Browns and Broncos have Cook in mind.
He is big, has good arm talent, tons of experience in a pro-style offense and did nothing but win while at Michigan State. The questions about his not being voted captain make it a slight gamble but given whom both teams have at quarterback as of now, it’s one they are more than willing to take.