NFL mock draft: Conference championship edition

Connor Cook may not scream first round talent, but the Houston Texans have to take a quarterback after years of neglecting the position.

He may not be the hottest name at quarterback in the draft, but Cook is as smart and efficient as they come at the position. Also, Cook has been thought of as a potential pro quarterback longer than guys like Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch. He also managed to post his excellent stats against much superior competition than either Cook or Lynch faced at North Dakota State and Memphis.

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds he has the size to go along with the ball security that Houston head coach Bill O’Brien covets at the position. Much like his predecessor Kirk Cousins, who grew into a solid starter Washington this season, Cook looks to be pro ready and could prove to be a solid starter for years.

His four-year totals were 9,194 yards passing with 71 touchdowns to just 22 interceptions. After only throwing nine passes his freshman year, he was extremely efficient his following three seasons for the Spartans.

In his sophomore season Cook threw 22 touchdowns to six interceptions, followed by his junior year where he had 24 touchdowns to eight picks and finished his career with 24 touchdowns to only seven interceptions his senior season.

Efficiency like that would be welcome by the fans after watching Brian Hoyer throw four picks in their postseason debacle against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Next: No. 23