Cowboys: 5 QB Possibilities In NFL Draft

Jacoby Brissett – North Carolina State (Sr. 6’4” 235)

Each year there seems to be a quarterback prospect heading into the draft that surges late and ends up being chosen much sooner than previously thought. In 2016 that player could very well be Jacoby Brissett of North Carolina State.

A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Brissett began his college career at University of Florida and found himself in a struggle for playing time with the Gators. As opposed to riding out that storm, Brissett bet on himself and transferred to North Carolina State following his sophomore year at Tallahassee in 2012.

Sitting out the 2013 season due to NCAA regulations, Brissett took the starting job with the Wolf Pack in 2014 and has not disappointed.

As a junior, Brissett completed 60-percent of his passes for 2,344 yards and 22 touchdown passes. He threw just five interceptions on the season in which NC State would finish with a record of 8-5 (3-5 in ACC Atlantic Division) and a victory in the St. Petersburg Bowl.

This season, the Wolf Pack finished the schedule at 7-5 (3-5 in ACC Atlantic Division) and may or may not be headed to a bowl game following a disappointing loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels last Saturday.

But it’s hard to pin that on Brissett.

This quarterback has vision and some wheels, despite his size, that might remind some of a bigger Romo. Brissett has a live arm and also some scrambling ability that will serve him pretty well at the next level. A true pocket passer, Brissett will need some time to prepare for life in the NFL, but his projected draft position should fall where the Cowboys seem pretty comfortable.

I am not saying that Brissett is the most likely to land with the Cowboys because he’s the best quarterback – although he could be. I’m simply stating that Brissett has the physical tools to play the position at the next level and will probably be available in that part of the draft that allows Jones to have his cake and eat it too.

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In other words, Jones won’t spend a premium pick on a complete experiment, much like he did in selecting Quincy Carter out of Georgia in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. However, if Brissett is still available in the third round next April and Dallas has had the opportunity to upgrade another position with a likely starter, Brissett could be the steal that Jones loves to pounce on in the draft.