We've heard all the criticisms of Hackenberg, no reason to rehash them, but let me give you some reasons why its not a bad gamble in my view. I would not have taken a QB in that spot, but if we were going to take one, IMO we took the right one (Hack > Cook) and I said so before we made the pick, when we discussed the possibility as the pick was approaching.
So, a few reasons why this has a chance to work:
1. The kid has the prototypical size you look for in an NFL QB, 6' 5"/225, thats the way you draw it up.
2. He has a cannon for an arm, strongest arm in the draft, he makes every throw in the book including the deep outs and he throws frozen ropes, and that matters in the northeast when the wind starts kicking up at MetLife, Gillette and Buffalo. Last year Fitz got exceedingly lucky in that regard, other than the last game it was like an Indian Summer at his games.
3. If you watched Hackenberg his freshman year, without question you would have felt like you were watching the future #1 Overall Pick in the draft, similar to if you watched the freshman from UCLA this year. He was that good.
4. Since his freshman year its been awful, no two ways about it, its been stunning to watch the decline of a player who was universally viewed as a potential #1 Overall Pick as a freshman, but in fairness its not ALL his fault. The Penn State O-line has been dreadful over the past two years and its nearly gotten this kid killed. Honestly, my biggest concern is he might already be shell-shocked from the beating he has taken. He has been sacked a hundred times ... A HUNDRED TIMES ... by far the most in the nation, and NO QUARTERBACK can excel in those conditions. Even Great QB's look like garbage if they are getting pummeled to that degree.
So again, I'm not saying there's a good chance, but I do think there's a real chance this could workout a lot better than most people expect it too. Its not the pick I would have made, but its not a bad gamble.