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2016 NFL Draft: Good Picks vs. Bad Picks for the San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

Sep 6, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter in a game against the Sacramento State Hornets at Memorial Stadium. California won 55-14. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter in a game against the Sacramento State Hornets at Memorial Stadium. California won 55-14. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Bad Fit: Quarterback Connor Cook, Michigan State

Collegiate Statistics

From one quarterback to another, let’s take a look at Michigan State’s Connor Cook and why he may not be the best fit for San Francisco.

Cook is pretty polarizing for a prospect, and even with regards to how he might fit in with the 49ers.

The 49ers are interested in Cook’s services, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report. And the same situation applies under center as on the previous slide.

Yet Cook may not be the type of quarterback for which the 49ers are seeking.

Niner Noise staff writer Jerod Brown did most of the dirty work in describing the lack of fit. He wrote:

"Cook has intriguing size and can point to his time at Michigan State as an example of why he should be drafted high, but some of the negatives associated with Cook are already present in a struggling 49ers quarterback. A tendency to stare down receivers off the snap and telegraph passes. A dramatic decrease in accuracy in the face of perceived pressure. Slow decision making in the pocket when primary reads are covered. Cook toggles between these issues on seemingly every other play. Does he make some exceptional throws occasionally? Absolutely. Cook certainly has the arm talent to succeed at the NFL. However, for every spectacular throw he makes, he is nearly intercepted another two or three times. The throws that Cook got away with in college will be easy pickings for defensive backs in the NFL."

Brown is comparing Cook’s traits to those of incumbent quarterback Colin Kaepernick — staring down receivers and, all too frequently, forcing passes into bad coverage.

The one thing with head coach Chip Kelly’s offense is that it requires precise, well-timed passes with an emphasis on accuracy. Those aren’t exactly Cook’s strengths.

And it doesn’t help he has some on-field character concerns as well.

Next: Good Fit: DE DeForest Buckner