2016 NFL Draft: 49ers’ Big Board for Quarterbacks

First off the Board on Day Three

These three players should go in the fourth or early fifth rounds—at the very least, before the compensatory selections in round five. You’re expecting all of these players to have notable downsides, so we’ll try to focus more on the potential they bring to the table, rather than the flaws that creep into their game.

Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

Prescott’s size—6’2” and 226 pounds, and very solidly built—will draw attention, as will the mobility which led him to 37 rushing touchdowns over the last three seasons. Prescott is solidly built and a threat as a runner—think of Cam Newton at the goal line, and you’re getting the right idea. His arm strength isn’t that bad either, when he has time to throw.

Prescott is very raw, though. His footwork in the pocket is an absolute mess, and he tends to take off running at the very first sign of pressure rather than sitting in the pocket and finding somewhere to throw the ball. His progressions are too slow, and he needs to trust his arm more and challenge tighter windows, especially on the NFL level. He’s not ready to start, but his physical traits simply cannot be taught.

Cody Kessler, USC

Kessler does not have the physical traits you’re looking for in a passer. He’s not mobile, he doesn’t have prototypical height, and he doesn’t have overwhelming arm strength. He’s hyper-conservative, too, taking the safe throw constantly and never really challenging for a bigger play.

However, what he does bring to the table is the ability to run an offense. That “safe throw” mentality means that he’s been above a 65 percent completion percentage in all three seasons as a starter, and he’s over 70 percent when he gets to stand in the pocket. He works through progressions very quickly, reading defenses and taking what’s given to him. He sounds more like the kind of reliable backup you want when your starter goes down for a few weeks rather than the guy you build a team around, but there’s a spot for players like that in the NFL.

Kevin Hogan, Stanford

Hogan certainly won plenty at Stanford, after getting the unenviable task of replacing Andrew Luck. He went 36-10 as a starter, operating out of a pro-style attack—all very good positives. He showed enough mobility to potentially be a threat in the zone-read, as well, with 336 rushing yards last season. He was asked simply to manage Stanford’s offense, rather than single-handedly win games, and he did so.

He has notably below-average arm strength, however, and his wind-up and delivery take too long, rarely coming out cleanly. Mechanically, he has all sorts of issues that need to be corrected, from his stance to his poise in the pocket to the length of his actual throwing motion. He doesn’t deal with pressure well, either. He’s always found ways to overcome these shortcomings, but it’s a lot to ask out of him.

Next: Potential Third-String Candidates