Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill signed a four-year deal worth $77 million last offseason yet his job remains far from 100 percent secured. A year after posting career highs in completion percentage, passing yards, touchdowns and rushing yards, Tannehill came back down to earth. Though his raw numbers look good - 61.9%, 4,208 yards, 24 TDs, 12 INTs - the Dolphins ranked just 26th in yards per game (331.7) and 27th in points (19.4). Miami also fell from 17th in passing yards per game last year to 19th this season despite trading for speedster Kenny Britt and drafting DeVante Parker in the first round.
Given the uncertainty around Tannehill, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Dolphins take a developmental quarterback in this year's NFL Draft. If so, Michigan State's Connor Cook could be an option in rounds two or three.
"Cook would be an ideal project for Miami or another team to take in the second or third round," ESPN Dolphins reporter James Walker wrote. "He has the measurable and plenty of starting experience against quality competition. But for one reason or another, Cook was never able to put it all together consistently at Michigan State. Right now Cook is viewed by many as the No. 3 quarterback in this year's class behind sure first-rounders Jared Goff of Cal and Paxton Lynch of Memphis. Cook is a player who could eventually pay dividends if he sits a year or two to learn the NFL game. Don't be surprised if Cook moves into the late first round for a quarterback hungry team if he has a strong showing during the combine and pre-draft process."
Cook passed for 3,131 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. Though he's got solid mobility and a good feel for the pocket, Cook is knocked for his lack of ideal arm strength and questionable accuracy. He's completing just 56.1 percent of his passes this season and his college career high is just 58.7. Many view him more as a game manager right now, but that could change with a strong showing at the combine.
