With only one quarterback currently signed on the roster, David Carr, to say the 49ers are badly in need of a new man under center is an understatement.  The 49ers can pursue all three avenues of acquiring a new quarterback whether through the draft, trade or free agency.  The 49ers have the number seven pick overall in this year’s draft so selecting a quarterback is not out of the question in the first-round.  Most will agree that there are no Sam Bradford’s in this year’s draft meaning a quarterback that can start right away and successfully lead the offense and team to victories.  If there is a Bradford in the draft chances are he will be picked before the 49ers make their first selection.  There are four teams selecting before the 49ers (Bills, Bengals, Cardinals and Browns) who could select a quarterback.  My bet is on the Bills and Cardinals to select quarterbacks which would leave the 49ers with the second or third best quarterback in the draft.  I think it would be unwise for the 49ers to select a quarterback with their first pick if they are not getting the best available quarterback.  The first pick can be better used on the 49ers other two biggest needs, defensive lineman and cornerback. 

The next two avenues the 49ers can take is through trades (Kevin Kolb, Carson Palmer, Kyle Orton) or free agency (Donovan McNabb, Vince Young, assuming they will be released).  With a trade and for any of those three players listed the 49ers would most likely have to give up their first-round draft pick along with the others picks.  That would only be worth it if the 49ers traded for Kolb.  But even then giving up your only first-round draft pick is a steep price to pay when you have other holes to fill as well.  If McNabb and Young are released by their teams signing McNabb would be the best option. But McNabb is a risk with his recent play, age and would only be a holdover for one to two years while Jim Harbaugh grooms the 49ers next franchise quarterback assuming they select one in the draft.  Young is not exactly a quarterback to get excited about but with only having Carr signed he would be an upgrade.  Trades and free agency right now however are a pipedream.  With NFL owners recently walking out of negotiations with NFL players I highly doubt a new collective bargaining agreement will be hashed out by the time the current one expires on March 4.

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