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2016 NFL Scouting Combine: Players the San Francisco 49ers Should Watch

By Peter Panacy

Feb 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Defensive backs get instructions during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Defensive backs get instructions during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) points to the sky before the game against the USC Trojans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) points to the sky before the game against the USC Trojans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

QB Vernon Adams, Oregon

2015 Statistics

The 49ers will probably draft a quarterback in this year’s draft. The only question is when.

With incumbents Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick’s future uncertain within the organization, general manager Trent Baalke should consider a long-term option even if such a prospect is developmental only.

So while a first-round target would be a likely choice — as mocked by CBS Sports’ Rob Rang and Dane Brugler with Cal’s Jared Goff — it’s feasible to think San Francisco waits until later round.

At 5’11” and 195 pounds, Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams still projects as a seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent, according to CBS Sports.

Size is the obvious worry here, although Adams possesses a lot of the same traits and abilities as does Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. And there are the ties between Adams and head coach Chip Kelly from each person’s days at U of O even though Kelly never coached Adams.

Adams will need a solid combine to improve his draft stock. If he can make NFL-type throws with regularity and accuracy, there’s little doubt his current rankings would improve.

But a failure to do so could easily negate such a status and, if the 49ers were watching, force them to look elsewhere for a signal-caller in the draft.

Or general manager Trent Baalke could simply target him late regardless of the combine results.

Next: ILB Scooby Wright