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San Francisco 49ers: Way-Too Early Predictions for 2017 Starting Lineup

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) congratulates defensive end Arik Armstead (91) for sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) congratulates defensive end Arik Armstead (91) for sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jeff Driskel 49ers
Oct 30, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) throws the ball against the Rice Owls in the third quarter at Rice Stadium. The Bulldogs won 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback

QB No. 1: Jeff Driskel

OK, this is an out-of-the box prediction. Really out of the box.

Again, like so many other positions, we have no clue who will start under center in 2016, let alone 2017. It could be Blaine Gabbert. It could be Colin Kaepernick. Heck, maybe head coach Chip Kelly employs a sort of rotation a la the days of quarterbacking greats Steve Young and Joe Montana for a time under the late head coach Bill Walsh.

Who knows?

What is known is whoever winds up getting the lion’s share of snaps in 2016 will have the best shot at starting in 2017, right?

Not so fast.

Gabbert is entering a contract season this year. He’ll be a free agent in 2017, so there isn’t any guarantee he’ll re-sign with San Francisco. And even if Kaepernick resurges and plays well this season, is it impossible to rule out more front-office fiascos and mismanagement?

Putting things bluntly, it’s harder to state the Niners view Gabbert or Kaepernick as long-term options at this point. At least not based on current information.

Enter rookie QB Jeff Driskel.

Driskel is a project quarterback for this season and nothing more. And if neither the two veterans pan out for the long run, guess who gets the start in 2017.

Now this doesn’t mean Driskel will be the second coming of Montana or Young. Heck, it’s entirely possible the 49ers are searching for a franchise quarterback to groom just under a year from now.

All the while, Driskel holds the line.

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I could go with a conservative narrative here and suggest Kaepernick gets the nod in 2017 because he’ll still be under contract or Gabbert is re-signed as a safe-choice option.

But there’s not a lot of fun in that.

So, 49ers fans, you might want to start ordering your Driskel jerseys for 2017 if this way-too early prediction comes true.

Next: An Early Look at the 49ers 2017 Free Agents

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