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2016 NFL Mock Draft: QB Connor Cook Right Fit for Texans?

By Dan Schmelzer

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) before the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) before the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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A recent 2016 NFL Mock Draft has the Houston Texans taking QB Connor Cook with the 22nd overall pick. Would this be a strong fit for the two sides?

The Houston Texans’ season ended with a thud on Saturday. The Texans were walloped in all faucets of the game, as the Kansas City Chiefs raced to a 30-0 Wild Card Round victory.

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It is hard to call a season where you win your division a disappointment, but the Texans limping to an AFC South crown with a 9-7 record and quickly bowing out of the post season in ugly fashion could not have been satisfying for their fans. This is a talented team, but they continue to miss something to carry this team to the next step.

All-Universe Defensive End J.J. Watt leads a strong defensive attack that had been good-to-great for many years now. Injuries held him back this season, but Arian Foster has led the Texans to a successful rushing attack for many years now as well.

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Now, DeAndre Hopkins has really started to come into his own, and is one of the best wide receivers in the entire league. This is a team with some legitimately strong pieces, but they are weak at the most important position on the field: Quarterback.

In his latest mock draft for CBS Sports, Dane Brugler mocked Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook to Bill O’Brien and the Texans with the 22nd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Before I give my thoughts on the selection, let’s see what Brugler had to say about Cook to Houston:

"The Texans haven’t selected a passer in the first round since their inaugural draft in 2002, but that should change this year. It was an exercise of musical chairs at quarterback this season for Houston, making Cook a possibility with this pick."

I love this pick for Houston. Enough with guys like Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett and Brandon Weeden, the Texans need to invest some resources to get a legitimate talent at the quarterback position in the fold. Connor Cook is far from a perfect prospect, but he would come in and immediately be a huge upgrade for the Texans at the position.

First and foremost, let’s talk about his arm strength. Cook does not have the strongest arm in the draft class. NFL teams love big-armed quarterbacks, and that is never going to be Cook. That being said, it’s not like he has a weak arm. His arm is strong enough to make all of the necessary throws at the NFL level. What more do you want?

What he lacks in raw arm strength, Cook makes up for in touch and impressive accuracy. Cook improved a lot as a passer this past season at Michigan State, consistently putting the ball right on the money, and a lot of the time that was in tight coverage.

While his arm strength is only adequate, Cook is an aggressive passer. That is a rare and relatively odd combination of skills for a quarterback, but Cook’s great accuracy and smart decision-making allows it to work. He will take some risks, but they are typically high reward type throws that are worth the risk. He is not just going to throw it in there for no reason.

The fit between Cook and the Texans is much more than just a team needing a signal caller. His style meshes well with what they are trying to do.

O’Brien is a strong offensive coach who loves to throw the ball down the field. Hopkins is arguably the best deep receiver in the NFL right now. Cook has great deep ball accuracy and is not afraid to take chances deep down the field. Getting him in an aggressive vertical attack like the Texans would like to have would allow Cook a ton of immediate success.

DeAndre Hopkins
Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) during game at NRG Stadium. Houston won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Also, Cook’s success with Michigan State WR Aaron Burbridge this season was great to see, and could foreshadow a fit with the Texans. Cook was never afraid to simply let his number one target go up and make a play, and he did an incredible job of putting Burbridge in a position to win against the defensive back in the air over and over again.

Considering the Texans have a legitimate number one in Hopkins who can consistently win both vertically and in the air, Cook will be able to put his trust into a top target once again.

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The Texans need to figure out their quarterback situation, and quick. If not, they are going to waste the talent on the rest of this roster with many more 9-7-like seasons. Cook is a great fit for their roster and system, and would be a perfect choice for them in the first round.

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