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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 /
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Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports /

Sixth- and Seventh-Rounders

The 49ers have a possible four picks in the sixth round, thanks to compensatory selections and trades. These are the sorts of names they could take a flyer on down here, sticking them on the practice squad and hoping their positive traits can be exploited into something worth a roster spot in the future.

Cardale Jones, Ohio State

Cardale Jones is basically sitting on a very solid 2014 postseason run and half of a 2015 season as a starter as his credentials for being drafted. He’s got great size and a great arm—no one’s going to out-throw him at the combine. With so little experience, and losing the starting job last season once defensive coordinators adjusted to him, there’s a lot of work to be done to find a viable player, even with his positive traits.

Vernon Adams, Oregon

Oregon connection for Chip Kelly! At 5’11” and 197 pounds, Adams is massively undersized for the position, but he succeeded in a descendant of Chip Kelly’s system, perhaps making San Francisco his best home. He has good mobility and a great arm, but he’s very much a “system” guy who needs lots of work to succeed on an NFL level.

Nate Sudfeld, Indiana

Sudfeld is a three-year starter with plenty of experience in a timing-based system which would make Chip Kelly happy. He has an NFL-caliber arm and knows how to handle pressure, throwing the ball away rather than taking harmful sacks. His accuracy and velocity, however, can be kindly described as “inconsistent”.

Jake Rudock, Michigan

Rudock had to transfer out of Iowa to get playing time, and showed solid game-managing traits for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. He doesn’t have the arm or athleticism that would make him a top-ranked quarterback, but his ability to pick up a new offense quickly and his decent completion percentage at Michigan leaves him as my top undrafted prospect among quarterbacks. He’s worth kicking the tires, at the very least.

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Bryan Knowles is a staff writer here at Niner Noise.  Follow him @BryKno on Twitter.