Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking Top 5 Needs in 2016 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

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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 /

No. 1: Quarterback

Players on Roster: Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick, Thad Lewis, Dylan Thompson

Recently acquired quarterback Thad Lewis adds some training camp competition to the 49ers roster, but there are still far too many questions compared to answers at this position of utmost importance.

It starts off with quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Will he be on the roster April 1? Or will he be traded as his camp has requested? Even if he remains in San Francisco, will Kaepernick end up winning the starting job under head coach Chip Kelly, or will that role fall on the shoulders of quarterback Blaine Gabbert — the signal-caller who surpassed Kap on the depth chart in Week 9 last year?

It’s an ongoing development, and we may not have the answer right away.

Still, the 49ers may find it in their best interests to move on from Kaepernick and go with a long-term solution under center.

Doing so would be a paradigm shift for the organization — the closing of one chapter and the installment of a new one. Heck, that’s what the 49ers are trying to do right now anyway.

One name to keep an eye on is Cal quarterback Jared Goff. Goff, from nearby Novato, grew up a 49ers fan. And many mocks from around the league have the Niners taking Goff at No. 7 in the NFL draft.

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But the 49ers could choose to sit on this position and address it in later rounds. Perhaps they target a quarterback later like, let’s say, Oregon’s Vernon Adams.

At any rate, quarterback remains a key focal point for general manager Trent Baalke and Co. in the draft. And given the importance of the position, it’s impossible to keep it away from the No. 1 need the team has entering 2016 and beyond.

Next: CBS Sports Mocks a QB to the 49ers in Round 1 of NFL Draft

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.