Expectations for Raiders fourth round pick Connor Cook

The Oakland Raiders were clearly thinking towards the future with their fourth round pick. Derek Carr has clearly earned the right to go into this season as the unquestioned started at quarterback for the Silver and Black. But despite his presence, the Raiders selected quarterback Connor Cook with their fourth round pick.

So what should you expect from Cook? Hopefully not a whole lot. First and foremost, you can expect Cook to give incumbent backup Matt McGloin a run for his money. But McGloin beat out Christian Ponder for the back up role last season so don’t expect him to just roll over because the team invested a fourth round pick on Cook. McGloin is used to being underestimated and thus far in his career, he has done an excellent job of proving doubters wrong.

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That being said, I would not be surprised if McGloin finally loses the back up role. And even if he doesn’t lose it this year, if Cook shows enough progress, the Raiders could easily allow McGloin to walk in free agency next offseason and give Cook the backup role next year.

But beyond what should be a very good preseason battle, fans should hope not to see much of anything from Cook regardless of who wins. Because unless the Raiders have blown out a team and are bringing in their backup for garbage time, Cook playing is a bad sign for Derek Carr.

Further down the line, you might be able to expect Cook to be traded for draft picks. We all know that Reggie McKenzie hails from Green Bay, where Matt Flynn was made. Drafting Cook was about more than just trying to flip him for more picks later, though. The Raiders tried to upgrade over McGloin last year with Ponder and are trying again this year. They just also recognize that upgrading the backup quarterback position could result in a valuable trade piece.

Whatever the future of Cook, hopefully we won’t see much of him this season unless the Raiders are blowing teams out and a garbage time sub is needed.

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