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San Francisco 49ers: Quarterback Options for Head Coach Chip Kelly in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) throws the ball against the Temple Owls during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) throws the ball against the Temple Owls during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterbacks in the 2016 NFL Draft

Top QB Prospects

In all likelihood, the 49ers will select a quarterback with one of their presumed 12 picks in the upcoming 2016 NFL draft.

The only questions are which prospect is drafted and in which round.

San Francisco has needs all across the board. So one shouldn’t automatically assume the 49ers will take a quarterback in Round 1 with the No. 7 pick overall.

If they did, Cal quarterback Jared Goff or Memphis QB Paxton Lynch may be considered top targets. Both are Nos. 1 and 2 on CBS Sports’ ranking of quarterback prospects. But with the Cleveland Browns likely taking a signal-caller at No. 2 overall, the most likely draft selection would be Lynch in this case.

And this is what CBS’ Dane Brugler felt would happen in his most-recent mock:

"With Blaine Gabbert under contract through the 2016 season, Lynch won’t be asked to start right away, but can sit and develop at his own pace, giving San Francisco a long-term option at the position. This pick is heavily dependent on the Colin Kaepernick situation, which might not be figured out for a few months."

But what if the 49ers waited until Round 2 or later? Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg is enticing and, just like Brugler argued with Lynch, wouldn’t have to step in and start right away.

Whatever happens via the draft, we can’t be entirely sure until the situation with quarterback Colin Kaepernick is determined. And that won’t likely happen for the next couple of months at the earliest.

Next: Blaine Gabbert