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San Francisco 49ers: Position-by-Position Prediction of 2016 Roster in Advance of Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) pass protects in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) pass protects in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback (3)

Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert, rookie

Yes, the 49ers will roll with three quarterbacks on their roster for 2016 — something they haven’t typically done in recent history.

And quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be the starting guy over last year’s second-half upstart Blaine Gabbert.

While there are arguments behind Gabbert being a better signal-caller in head coach Chip Kelly’s system, it’s hard to fathom the new 49ers head coach completely turning his back on Kaepernick until it’s absolutely certain Kelly won’t be able to resurrect his career in on-field action.

We’ll put to rest any notion of Kaepernick being traded away or released this offseason. For now.

The good thing is that Kap and Gabbert will have the opportunity to compete for the starting spot. Perhaps this is the push Kaepernick needs to get back to anything close to the type of player he was in 2012 and 2013.

Additionally, the 49ers will look to draft a rookie quarterback in this year’s class. He may be a first-round prospect like Cal’s Jared Goff or Memphis’ Paxton Lynch. Or, perhaps, the 49ers sit back and take a guy like Oregon’s Vernon Adams.

But they’ll want to groom him and probably won’t take the chance of trying to place him on the practice squad where he’d have to clear waivers first.

Next: Running Back