San Francisco 49ers

Four Options for the 49ers to Fill Their Quarterback Position in 2017

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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In a season of disappointment and failure for the San Francisco 49ers, it seems only fitting the team needs a franchise quarterback and potentially has a top-two pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. But there is no clear-cut choice at the quarterback position. Niner Noise looks at a few options for the team with regards to securing a competent signal-caller in 2017.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers will probably need a quarterback this offseason to replace either Colin Kaepernick (who may opt out) and Blaine Gabbert (who is a free agent).

So which direction will the Niners go?

Jimmy Garoppolo will be the topic of more than a few trade rumors come this offseason.

For one, he looked extremely impressive in his brief stint as the New England Patriots’ starter with Tom Brady sitting out the first four games of the season because of Deflategate.

In two game starts, Garoppolo completed 70 percent of his passes for 496 yards, throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions. It was a small sample size for sure, and there are no guarantees he can produce those same results on a team with so many holes to fill as the 49ers.

The second reason is with Brady still playing, well, like Tom Brady, perhaps Garoppolo decides he doesn’t want to wait any longer to step into a starting QB position, or the Patriots decide Garoppolo’s trade value is too high to pass up the equity they could gain with a trade.

Which is why I don’t think this option is a realistic one for the Niners.

The whispers are that the Pats will want a first-round pick for Garoppolo, and teams with stronger rosters like the Denver Broncos, New York Jets and perhaps even the Arizona Cardinals may be more willing to throw caution to the wind if they feel a trade puts them in a position to make a Super Bowl run or deep run in the playoffs.

The 49ers will most likely have a top-two or three pick in next year’s draft. And while they could give that pick up, or trade back, acquire extra picks and use a lower first rounder to trade for him, the chances are that they will keep that high pick and take an immediate impact player such as Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett or Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers .

And while the fate of general manager Trent Baalke will be a huge factor in how the team approaches the draft, I think it is safe to say the 49ers need star power to, at minimum, keep butts in the seats at Levi’s Stadium next year.

As I mentioned above, I think getting Garoppolo would be great to infuse life into a team that sorely needs it. But I do not see the team making this move happen.

Which brings me to my next thought.

Aug 20, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) drops to throw a pass during the third quarter of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

While Kirk Cousins would be a nice get in free agency for the team, I believe he re-signs with the Washington Redskins or signs with a team more ready to win right away.

I also believe the 49ers will part ways with Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick after the season is over. And while I realize Kap is playing a bit better, I do not believe he wants to be in San Francisco long term. I see him leaving for another team (Jets, perhaps) once this season ends.

And while there is a lengthy list of QBs set to hit free agency next season, there aren’t what I would consider high-quality starters outside of Cousins.

However, Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup Mike Glennon has shown to be solid as a true pocket passer when given the opportunity in the recent past.

And yes, it is true the Bucs drafted Jameis Winston. But Glennon has shown to have some talent when called upon.

The 26 year old started 13 games in 2013, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes for 2,608 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. For his career, he has 30 touchdowns against 15 picks while completing just under 60 percent of his pass attempts.

The numbers may not be staggering. But if you have seen him play, he has a good pocket awareness, moves the ball around to different receivers and is a better option than Gabbert or Christian Ponder.

It is not out of the realm of possibility the team drafts a player and signs a free agent QB as well. Bill Walsh once said a team should draft a quarterback every year, and it seems as though he may have been onto something.

The Patriots have done so the last few years with Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, and seem the better for it if for no other reason than they have trade equity, should the player develop in their system or start in a pinch.

Which brings me to my next option.

Oct 29, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) passes the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Auburn Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately for the 49ers, there doesn’t appear to be a Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck in the upcoming NFL Draft. Leave it to the team to have a disastrous season and not have a clear-cut franchise signal caller at the top of the big board.

But that doesn’t mean the team can’t find a Drew Brees, Derek Carr or a Dak Prescott if they scout well.

None of thos guys were first-round picks, and that could suit the 49ers just fine.

Imagine if they were to get a Jabrill Peppers or Myles Garrett with their first-round pick and add Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield or Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly in a later round.

Mayfield may not be on a lot of people’s radar as an NFL-caliber QB. But he is accurate (71 percent completion rate) and does not throw a lot of interceptions. In fact, he has 35 touchdowns to just eight picks thus far for over 3,300 yards.

Taking a third- or a fourth-round flyer on Mayfield seems a bit more solid than shelving another ACL-injured player, as Trent Baalke has done the last few seasons.

But if it is an injured player he wants with a value pick, perhaps you want someone like Kelly, who comes from a solid QB pedigree (his uncle is Jim Kelly, a Hall of Fame QB from the Buffalo Bills), has been in a pro-style offense and will probably slide due to his ACL and torn meniscus injury.

His stats were not spectacular this season, as he threw just 19 touchdowns, nine interceptions and completed 62 percent of his passes in the conference most say is the toughest in college football.

He has a few red flags as far as character concerns (a fight at a high school football game and maturity concerns). But if it is value you are looking for, this may be a good pick in the middle rounds (3-6).

Scouts love his NFL arm strength and ability to fire the ball into tight windows. But that same mentality has some questioning his gunslinger mentality.

He has often been compared to Philip Rivers, who had some similar concerns of maturity coming out of college, but who had the arm strength and pocket awareness scouts really liked.

Or, perhaps they take two QBs in the same draft. While you may think it’s crazy, tell that to the Redskins after they took Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins in the same draft.

Pundits had a field day with that at the time. But it doesn’t look like such a bad decision now, does it?

There are other options in the draft, from DeShone Kizer, Deshaun Watson or Brad Kaaya and so on. They will more than likely go earlier in the draft, but probably shouldn’t.

The Niners need a franchise signal-caller. But why reach for one early in the draft if they do not believe the guy to be the answer long term?

Again, they could very well take a QB in the draft and still lock one up in free agency as well.

And there is also another option.

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws a pass over Miami Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain (28) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Colin Kaepernick has become a polarizing figure around not only the sports world, but in social circles and on social media. His kneeling during the national anthem has sparked debate and stirred a lot of controversy. Yet his recent moderate success may have him back on the radar of a few teams who may be QB shopping come this offseason.

As most know, Denver made a run at him this past offseason. And although they have Trevor Siemian and rookie Paxton Lynch, perhaps they decide the dynamic playmaking ability of Kaepernick outweighs the inconsistent and conservative Siemian.

Or the Jets may feel like Kap would put them in playoff contention with a run game and solid defense to support him.

And perhaps Kap is seeing the dysfunction of the 49ers franchise and decides it is time to move on.

Or, perhaps, Kap feels like head coach Chip Kelly and this system have helped him rediscover some of the abilities he displayed during the team’s Super Bowl runs a few seasons ago.

If Kaepernick were to re-sign with the Niners on a short-term deal, the team could ride it out with him and still draft someone to have as an understudy or future replacement.

But I just don’t see that happening.

My guess is he leaves for the Jets or a contender following the season.

Perhaps the Niners sign a free agent and wait to see where they pick in next year’s draft, which could have potential franchise signal-callers like Jake Browning or Josh Rosen.

However it shakes out, the 49ers will eventually need to address the QB situation.

It is the key position in football you have to fill if you want to have any hope for success. And right now, the Niners and their fans could sure use some hope.