Niner Noise
FanSided

2016 NFL Draft: 49ers’ Big Board for Quarterbacks

By Bryan Knowles

Dec 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates with his teammates after defeating the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium. California won 55-36. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates with his teammates after defeating the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium. California won 55-36. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Dec 30, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) drops back to pass against Auburn Tigers in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) drops back to pass against Auburn Tigers in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Late Round 1, Round 2

Neither of these two quarterbacks would make sense with the seventh pick, but if they were to slide down to the 49ers’ pick at number 37—or if they trade down in the first round or back up after making a pick at number seven—they could be looking at taking one of these highly-touted, but more flawed, players.

Paxton Lynch, Memphis

Assuming Lynch falls into the back half of the first round, I feel he’ll be the best value of any of the quarterbacks taken in this draft. Lynch is the best dual-threat quarterback in this draft, a functional scrambler with a quick release and a solid arm—that might play very well in a Chip Kelly system. He prefers to throw, using his 6’7” frame to scan the defense, rather than just tucking the ball and running.

Lynch might need a year of seasoning to really be ready to start, however. He’s improved every year he’s been at Memphis, but his route anticipation and the speed of his progressions still needs work. His physical tools are unquestionable, but he needs a little more work on the mental aspect of his game.  Give him a year to sit and learn a system, and he could well be a steal somewhere in the back half of Round 1.

Connor Cook, Michigan State

Connor Cook isn’t going to wow anyone as a quarterback, but he has the tools to be an Alex Smith-esque game manager at the NFL level.  He’s a four-year starter and has plenty of production out of a pro-style offense, meaning his transition to the NFL is likely to be easier than some of the other quarterbacks, who spent most of their time in the shotgun. That experience is a major plus in his favor.

If he was more accurate on his short- and intermediate-level throws, or if he had managed to step up his game in big games against Iowa or Alabama and games of that nature, we’d be talking about Cook as a first-round pick. As it is, his weaknesses will probably lead to him never becoming a real NFL star. However, he could be a very safe, reliable option in the right offense at the next level.

Next: Third-Round Picks