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San Francisco 49ers: Prioritizing Each Position on Roster Before the 2016 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari (far left) instructs during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari (far left) instructs during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback:

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

Figuring out what will happen at the quarterback position this offseason is a tough challenge. Will quarterback Colin Kaepernick be traded at some point as his camp has requested? Or will the 49ers retain him on the roster if they don’t get the deal they like?

The situation remains in limbo, but head coach Chip Kelly has reiterated on multiple occasions his desire to work with Kaepernick in 2016.

If Kap goes, however, San Francisco does have a proven starter on its roster: Blaine Gabbert.

This isn’t to say Gabbert is the long-term solution at this position. He’s far from it. Yet the quarterbacking situation in Santa Clara is far better than, let’s say, that of the Denver Broncos — a team coming off the losses of QBs Peyton Manning (retired) and Brock Osweiler (free agency).

So the 49ers don’t have to draft a quarterback in 2016. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t or won’t. Numerous mock drafts from around the NFL have the Niners taking Cal quarterback Jared Goff in Round 1.

Such a move would be a new chapter in San Francisco and would likely close the door on the Kaepernick era even if he’s on the roster to start 2016.

Yet the Niners have some flexibility here and may elect to take a QB in later rounds.

Priority 2

Next: Running Back