2016 NFL Draft: 5 Late-Round Prospects the 49ers Should Target

Jacoby Brissett, QB, North Carolina State

Imagine, for a moment, that the 49ers decide to keep Colin Kaepernick, rather than trade him. Further imagine that, instead of addressing the quarterback position early in the draft, they instead decide to shore up the offensive line, and maybe add a weapon at wide receiver. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility.

In that scenario, Jacoby Brissett might be a very good player to add as a developmental prospect later in the draft—CBS has him listed as a fifth-round pick.

Brissett is still developing the skillset you need to succeed at quarterback—he only started two seasons at North Carolina State, thanks in part to transferring out of Florida. What he has, though, is already enticing. He’s got a big, prototypical frame at 6’4” and 231 pounds, with the strength to shrug off opponents attempting to sack him. He’s shown an ability to throw the ball with force or to add some touch to smaller throws, and he excels in the dink-and-dunk short passing game, which helps him put up very large completion percentage numbers.

He worked out of the pro set at NC State, which helps in a transition to the NFL, and he has the mobility to extend plays while waiting for people to get open. He’s not really as good in open space as a Kaepernick or Cam Newton, but he’s definitely mobile and can be used in both the passing game and running game.

He needs to improve his deep-ball accuracy, and he doesn’t set his feet very well when he goes back to throw a pass—this is why he’s a day three pick and not someone who’s likely to be taken in the first round or two. There are enough positives here, however, that he’s worth developing with a later-round pick.

Next: A Speedy Receiver