Could the Steelers really be interested in drafting a quarterback in the upcoming 2012 NFL draft? Brad Galli, sports reporter for WXYZ-TV in Detroit, reported via Twitter Tuesday that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had dinner with Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins Tuesday evening. Today is the Michigan State pro day, so it does add up that Tomlin would indeed be in town for that.
Kirk Cousins had dinner at Mitchell\’s in East Lansing with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin Tuesday, a day ahead of #MSU\’s Pro Day.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 14, 2012
Many draft analyst suggested that Cousins helped his stock the most of all the quarterbacks at the NFL combine just a few weeks ago as he looked good throwing the ball. He measured in at the combine at 6025 and weighed 214 pounds. He has 31 3/4 arms to go along with a 9 7/8 hand size. He ran an unofficial time of 4.93 in the 40 yard dash to go along with a 28.5 vertical jump and a 9\’1 broad jump.
Cousins is regarded as the 5th or 6th best quarterback in the draft this year and is regarded as having a quick release to go along with good fundamentals. Another plus is that he played in a pro-style offense at MSU. He certainly would not be regarded as an immediate starter at the next level, but certainly could be a project to be groomed as an eventual back-up to Ben Roethlisberger.
Cousins is currently projected as a 4th round prospect and could present serious value to the Steelers should he somehow fall to the 5th. We will have to see how this plays out of course, but it bears watching and is worth noting the dinner meeting.
