Chip Kelly liked Dak Prescott in draft, Baalke didn't pick him

Published: Jan 02, 2017 at 06:45 AM

Dan Parr

Original Content Editor, Draft Strategy

The 49ers ended up picking a QB -- Jeff Driskel -- in the sixth round of the 2016 draft, but if Chip Kelly had it his way, San Francisco would've struck earlier to land a young QB, and that QB would've been Dak Prescott.

NFL Media's Mike Garafolo reported on Monday, in the wake of the firings of Kelly and 49ers GM Trent Baalke, that Kelly and others with the 49ers liked Prescott in last year's draft, but Baalke, of course, didn't pick him.

So, as the 49ers struggled to a 2-14 finish with an unsettled QB situation in 2016, they watched Prescott become a rookie sensation and lead the Cowboys to the NFC East title.

"That was part of the downfall for Baalke," Garafolo said during NFL Network's The Aftermath.

It's understandable if this news makes 49ers fans feel sick, but hey, San Francisco has plenty of company when it comes to missing the boat on Prescott -- the Cowboys didn't pull the trigger on him until the 135th pick of the draft (Round 4). Every team had a chance to pick him earlier.

Before the 49ers can try to find their own Prescott, they'll need to hire a new GM and coach. That process is already well underway.

Follow College Football 24/7 on Twitter _@NFLCFB_.

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