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Bob Sturm's NFL draft series: Will the Cowboys get a QB? Why I wouldn't bet against Trevone Boykin
Vernon Bryant/Staff Photographer
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) attempts to break the grasp of Baylor Bears defensive end Shawn Oakman (2) during the first half of play at McLane Stadium in Waco on Saturday, October 11, 2014. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)
By Bob Sturm, Special contributor Contact Bob Sturmon Twitter
SportsSturm
Editor's note: This is the final post of an eight-part series by special contributor Bob Sturm breaking down the top NFL draft prospects, position-by-position.
INSTALLMENT EIGHT: QUARTERBACKS
Every draft generally gets rated by the success of its quarterback class, first and foremost. As usual, opinions vary on this group and whether there is a legitimate franchise QB -- or maybe even more than one. As the actions of the Rams and Eagles showed in the buildup to this draft, there is almost no price considered too high if you're ultimately able to land that top-10 QB that means you're in the playoff mix every year of his prime. Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch ever becoming Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger from the 2004 draft seems unlikely, but as they say, you can't win the lottery without a ticket.
Spotlight player: Connor Cook, Michigan State
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 31: Connor Cook #18 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up prior to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Cook is big, has a nice, quick release and shows toughness. His arm is not a cannon but capable, for sure. He finds holes in the secondary quite well, fitting balls between the corner and the safety, and throwing the NFL routes quite well. He can handle anything NFL coaches want, such as strong play-action work and working out of both shotgun and under-center drops. He is experienced and has massive trust in his ability to make throws. He has a highlight film that can compete with any QB in this draft.
In addition to footwork that causes some short throws to be erratic, he also makes a fair number of "rush of blood to the head" throws that generally turn out poorly. His stats say he doesn't make bad decisions much (22 interceptions in 40 games), but his tape says it's too much. And he is said to be aloof and a potential celebrity QB who doesn't always have the whole room pulling for him and may not be in love with football. So much is being made of his not being voted a team captain. But if he weren't a good leader, would he have been QB1 on a Spartans team that averaged 12 wins a season while he was there?
There is a massive split in opinion on Cook. Some say first round, some say they wouldn't touch him. Cook will try to prove that the first crowd is correct. But he has some persuading to do.
The best: Jared Goff, California
***large snip***
Sleeper: Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech
***Large snip***
Best of Texas: Trevone Boykin, TCU
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin waits to lead his team onto the field before an NCAA football game against Oklahoma State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)
Boykin's fans -- of which there are many -- wonder what more he could have done in the last two seasons to try to persuade NFL teams to take him seriously as a QB. Sixty-four passing touchdowns and 17 running TDs later, it appears his height and overall style still are not what the league is seeking. His arrest before the Alamo Bowl certainly didn't enhance his prospects, but overall, Boykin can have a future as a weapon if he embraces his ability to play some QB but also make an impact as a slot receiver and on special teams. I wouldn't bet against his talent and drive.
***snip***
http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...series-will-cowboys-get-qb-bet-trevone-boykin
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) attempts to break the grasp of Baylor Bears defensive end Shawn Oakman (2) during the first half of play at McLane Stadium in Waco on Saturday, October 11, 2014. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)
By Bob Sturm, Special contributor Contact Bob Sturmon Twitter
SportsSturmEditor's note: This is the final post of an eight-part series by special contributor Bob Sturm breaking down the top NFL draft prospects, position-by-position.
INSTALLMENT EIGHT: QUARTERBACKS
Every draft generally gets rated by the success of its quarterback class, first and foremost. As usual, opinions vary on this group and whether there is a legitimate franchise QB -- or maybe even more than one. As the actions of the Rams and Eagles showed in the buildup to this draft, there is almost no price considered too high if you're ultimately able to land that top-10 QB that means you're in the playoff mix every year of his prime. Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch ever becoming Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger from the 2004 draft seems unlikely, but as they say, you can't win the lottery without a ticket.
Spotlight player: Connor Cook, Michigan State
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 31: Connor Cook #18 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up prior to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Cook is big, has a nice, quick release and shows toughness. His arm is not a cannon but capable, for sure. He finds holes in the secondary quite well, fitting balls between the corner and the safety, and throwing the NFL routes quite well. He can handle anything NFL coaches want, such as strong play-action work and working out of both shotgun and under-center drops. He is experienced and has massive trust in his ability to make throws. He has a highlight film that can compete with any QB in this draft.
In addition to footwork that causes some short throws to be erratic, he also makes a fair number of "rush of blood to the head" throws that generally turn out poorly. His stats say he doesn't make bad decisions much (22 interceptions in 40 games), but his tape says it's too much. And he is said to be aloof and a potential celebrity QB who doesn't always have the whole room pulling for him and may not be in love with football. So much is being made of his not being voted a team captain. But if he weren't a good leader, would he have been QB1 on a Spartans team that averaged 12 wins a season while he was there?
There is a massive split in opinion on Cook. Some say first round, some say they wouldn't touch him. Cook will try to prove that the first crowd is correct. But he has some persuading to do.
The best: Jared Goff, California
***large snip***
Sleeper: Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech
***Large snip***
Best of Texas: Trevone Boykin, TCU
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin waits to lead his team onto the field before an NCAA football game against Oklahoma State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)
Boykin's fans -- of which there are many -- wonder what more he could have done in the last two seasons to try to persuade NFL teams to take him seriously as a QB. Sixty-four passing touchdowns and 17 running TDs later, it appears his height and overall style still are not what the league is seeking. His arrest before the Alamo Bowl certainly didn't enhance his prospects, but overall, Boykin can have a future as a weapon if he embraces his ability to play some QB but also make an impact as a slot receiver and on special teams. I wouldn't bet against his talent and drive.
***snip***
http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...series-will-cowboys-get-qb-bet-trevone-boykin
