Day 3 of the NFL draft has featured a couple of intriguing selections for the San Francisco 49ers, but their final pick of the fourth round might be the most interesting of the bunch.
Washington cornerback Ephesians Prysock, the 139th overall pick, could be in line to carve out a starting role early in his NFL career.
In a perfect world the 49ers wouldn’t have an opening in their starting CB group. Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green and Upton Stout appear to have the top three CB spots locked down. However, Green faltered down the stretch last season and Stout will need to earn his starting job going into Year 2.
That leaves the door open for a player to sneak in and snag one of the starting spots in the CB room.
Prysock has some work ahead of him to get there. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler called him “a developmental dart throw.” The tools make it hard to ignore Prysock as a potentially fast riser.
He measured in at the combine at an impressive 6-3, 196 pounds. He also has 33 1/8-inch arms which he utilizes to be physical with receivers and knock throws away. His play speed is also impressive for his size, and he turned in a 4.45 40-yard dash at the combine.
All of the physical traits are there for Prysock to eventually become an NFL starter and he’ll have a couple avenues to get there as a rookie, especially since there are no other young CBs waiting in the wings. If Stout can’t hold the nickel CB job, Green could move inside where an outside spot opens up. If Green can’t regain his footing in the starting group, that also opens up an outside CB job.
Veteran Jack Jones would likely be first up if the 49ers are looking to make a change to their starting secondary, but Prysock with some development may very well find himself in the mix in his first NFL training camp.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers’ 4th-round CB draft pick could be a surprise starter as a rookie
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
