With the 31st pick in the Pride Of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the Denver Broncos select quarterback Connor Cook. DenverLion is the acting general manager for the Broncos. Below is the rationale for the pick.
If there is a more pressing need in the 2016 NFL Draft than the Broncos need for a quarterback, I don't know what it is. And since the most valuable commodity on a NFL team is a starting QB playing on his five-year (for first round picks) rookie contract, as the acting GM of the cap-strapped Broncos, I'm focused on picking a QB at No. 31. Though that would certainly change if I'm successful in my bid to trade for Colin Kaepernick.
As expected, Carson Wentz and Jared Goff are gone, but surprisingly Paxton Lynch is still available to me. Yet I think the best QB for the Broncos in this draft is Connor Cook out of Michigan State.
A three-year starter with prototypical size, Cook went 34-5 in his career, including wins (and a few MVP awards) against several top 10 teams. He played in a pro-style offense at MSU, is adept at taking snaps under center and from the shotgun and as evidenced on film and at his Pro Day, he can make all the throws needed in the NFL. Not to mention, his athleticism will give him the chance to excel with the bootlegs used in the Kubiak offense and be a capable running threat.
After completing my due diligence, which likely includes speaking to MSU coaches, Broncos wide receiver and MSU Alum Bennie Fowler, and the other Spartan players available in this draft, I have no reservations about Cook's personality or character. I believe this kid will come in, work his butt off, learn the playbook (with help from Fowler) and put himself in a position to compete to be the Broncos starting QB for 2016 and beyond.
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Check out our 2016 POD Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.