Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins is the consummate game manager and is a safe pick in the 2012 NFL Draft as an eventual starter.

In 2011, he completed 63.7 percent of his passes (66.9 in 2010) for 3,316 yards. Cousins threw 25 touchdown passes to 10 interceptions. He posted an efficiency rating of at least 142.6 in each of his four years as a Spartan.

More than a game manager?

Strengths

• Tough, gritty competitor
• Extremely efficient
• Three-time team captain - well-respected leader
• Accurate when in the pocket
• Experience in a pro-style offense in a major conference
• Improved yardage and touchdown figures each of the last three years
• Generally makes sound decisions with the football
• Looks off safeties on vertical routes

Weaknesses

• Has a tendency to double-clutch the ball
• Really breaks down under duress - most of his mistakes come in the face of pressure
• Below-average passer on the move
• Questionable footwork - needs to improve his technique
• Very average arm
• Thin build (6-foot-2 5/8, 214 pounds)

Expected draft placement

Cousins is an uninspiring selection, but he should come off the board as early as the late second round and probably no later than the early fourth. We give him a solid third-round grade for a team looking to groom an eventual starter in a ball-control offense.