2016 NFL Draft: Way Too Early Mock for San Francisco 49ers, Version 1.0A
By Peter Panacy
Nov 28, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) walks off the field after the win against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Memorial Stadium. The California Golden Bears defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 48-46. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1: Own Pick
Selection: QB Jared Goff, Cal
This might be the hyped pick most 49ers fans will be hoping for come Day 1 of the 2016 NFL draft.
Goff, a Bay Area native, has done plenty to warrant a first-round selection in this upcoming draft. He may be a bit raw, but his pocket awareness and poise is something which easily translates over to the pro game.
CBS Sports’ Rob Rang and Dane Brugler mock Goff to the 49ers in Round 1, and there are plenty of reasons to assume this happens.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is all but guaranteed not to be in San Francisco next season. And, despite his recent surge in productiveness, fellow QB Blaine Gabbert isn’t likely seen as a long-term answer.
In an ideal setting, Gabbert would provide mentoring for Goff next season. Goff would then take over the starting job in 2017.
But the tricky part of taking a quarterback in Round 1 is, well, it’s a huge gamble. Finding the right signal-caller can set up a franchise for years. Yet missing out on this pick can force a team to remain in the drudgery for which such a pick was needed in the first place.
Next: Round 2