Kirk Cousins’ stock rises after solid performance in Senior Bowl

Follow @SpartyAve

Kirk Cousins was going to get drafted anyway, but what he did Saturday at the Senior Bowl pretty much assures that the Michigan State quarterback will be picked earlier than the middle rounds.

North Squad quarterback Kirk Cousins (8)of Michigan State makes a throw during the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Chuck Cook-US Presswire

Cousins threw 11 passes, completed five of them, including a 41-yard TD to Gerrell Robinson of Arizona State.

He showed he could stand tall in the pocket and make all the NFL throws during the week-long event.

The only other QB among the six in Mobile this week to have a better week was former Michigan State QB Nick Foles.

Cousins 115 yards, however, were key to the North winning the game.

Here is one take on how Cousins did Saturday from Sports Illustrated.

So where will Cousins get drafted? Hard to say, but at this point, he may be the third or fourth QB in April’s NFL Draft behind Andrew Luck, Robert Griffen III and Foles.

Entering Saturday’s game, Cousins was ranked as the No. 7 QB in the draft by CBSports behind Luck, Griffen III, Ryan Tannehil (Texas A&M, Foles, Brock Osweiller (Arizona State) and Ryan Lindely (San Diego State).

Cousins at least moved past Lindley this week, who was also at the Senior Bowl.

FootballsFutures.com has Cousins No. 5 behind Luck, Griffen III, Tannehill and Foles.

That might be the most accurate ranking out there.

If so, Cousins should be considered a late-second or early-third-round pick in April.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper didn’t have Cousins in his top 5 prior to the Senior Bowl, and has yet to update his rankings.

There is a lot of time between now and April, and we’re sure there will much more analysis, especially with the combine upcoming. At any rate, Cousins made a big step this past week with his overall game as it transitions to the next level.

Tags: Kirk Cousins, michigan state football, senior bowl