Is Connor Cook the Quarterback of the Future for the Jets?

By John B Apr 11, 2016, 12:00pm EDT

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

With the Jets potentially in search of their new quarterback of the future in the upcoming NFL Draft, we are going to take a closer look at some of the prospects over the next few days. First up is Connor Cook of Michigan State.

Measurables

Height: 6'4"

Arm Length: 33"

Weight: 217:

Hand Size: 9 3/4"

Statistics

Completion Percentage: 57.5%

Yards Per Attempt: 7.9

Touchdown Rate: 6.0%

Interception Rate: 1.9%

Combine Results

40 time: 4.79 seconds

Vertical Jump: 33.0 inches

Broad Jump: 113.0 inches

3 Cone Drill: 7.21 seconds

Bill Parcells Quarterback Rules (4/4)

Was he a senior? Yes

Was he a three year starter? Yes

Did he graduate? Yes

Did he win at least 23 games as a starting quarterback? Yes

26-27-60 Rule (1/2 Known)

Did he score at least 26 on the Wonderlic? Unknown at this time

Did he start at least 27 games? Yes

Did he complete at least 60% of his passes? No

Football Outsiders' QBASE Formula

Mean Projection, Years 3-5: -301 DYAR

Bust (less than 500) 77.7%

Adequate Starter (500-1499) 15.2%

Upper Tier (1500-2500) 5.7%

Elite (>2500) 1.5%

Cook projects as a below-replacement-level NFL quarterback. Last year's 56.1 percent completion rate in an era in which college quarterbacks routinely complete over 60 percent of their passes recalls other NFL flops such as Jake Locker.

Cook did not even fail in college against particularly strong competition. The defenses Michigan State faced ranked No. 51 in our estimates. Moreover, Cook had the benefit of playing with the most NFL-caliber teammates of any prospect in this year's class. Those teammates include All-America left tackle Jack Conklin, likely a first-round pick this year. Cook's inability to play better in college despite favorable circumstances makes him a long shot to succeed in the NFL, despite going in the second round in many mock drafts.

PFF Draft Guide Stats

Accuracy: 66.5% (21st of 22 QB prospects)

Accuracy Under Pressure: 53.4% (21st of 22 QB prospects)

Deep Passing Accuracy: 59.4% (1st of 22 QB prospects)

What the Experts Say

Mike Mayock: "He's never been a 60 percent completion guy, but part of that is because they throw the football down the field aggressively. For instance, the second half of Michigan game I love what he did. He took a beating and kept throwing the ball and kept throwing tough passes down the field and completing them. Even though I think he was 18 for 39 that game, I liked that game."

Greg Cosell: "I see him as a complimentary quarterback. He played in what’s essentially a pro style offense. I think he’s a good thrower. I think there are times he gets on his front foot a little too much. If you give him a good run game and if he has good weapons he can run your offense. "

Gil Brandt: "Cook looked a lot like Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater -- who ultimately went 32nd overall in the draft -- when he was at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2014. Cook's arm is slightly above average; it's not weak, but it's not exactly strong, either. The Michigan State product did not look very good in Indy, but his winning record (34-5 in three years) is just too good to ignore. He should be good in a West Coast-style offense, and I feel certain someone will move up from the top of the second round to the bottom of the first to select him. He looks like a good developmental guy, someone who could sit behind an established starter and learn the speed of the game."