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San Francisco 49ers: Projecting Each Rookie’s Role in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) runs drills during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) runs drills during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 6, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) works out prior to the game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) works out prior to the game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback Jeff Driskel

The 49ers waited until Round 6 of the draft to do what many thought the team would address much earlier: select a rookie quarterback.

Former Louisiana Tech quarterback Jeff Driskel may not ever be the savior of the franchise, and it’s nearly impossible to suggest he’ll pass over incumbents Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert at any point this year.

Driskel also wasn’t too impressive during San Francisco’s OTA sessions and minicamps — understandable for a rookie QB.

But the pressure isn’t on Driskel to perform right away. He’ll have a year or two, at least, before the Niners are forced to make any decision upon his future with the team.

Projection

It’s been a while since the 49ers kept three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, so it’s likely Driskel is destined for the practice squad this season.

A year from now — depending on what happens with Kaepernick and/or Gabbert — we’ll have to take a closer look at Driskel’s development.

Next: Fahn Cooper