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San Francisco 49ers: Who Is on Each Position’s Roster Bubble in 2016?

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) drops back to pass against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half for the 2015 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. The Florida Gators defeated the East Carolina Pirates 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) drops back to pass against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half for the 2015 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. The Florida Gators defeated the East Carolina Pirates 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback

Quarterbacks: Jeff Driskel, Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick, Thad Lewis

OK, so we have no clue who will start under center for the 49ers in 2016. Will it be Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert?

Head coach Chip Kelly has stated there isn’t any timetable for determining the answer just yet, although Kaepernick has yet to be cleared to practice — following offseason surgeries — which has allowed Gabbert to get first-team reps in OTAs.

Barring something crazy, neither of these two will be on the roster bubble.

So let’s turn our attention to the other two QBs on San Francisco’s roster — Jeff Driskel and Thad Lewis.

Lewis was brought in as a free agent during the offseason likely to serve as a camp body to provide some competition as someone who worked under Kelly’s offense during Lewis’ time with the Philadelphia Eagles.

There isn’t going to be much more than that for the perennial backup quarterback.

Driskel is a little more intriguing though. The 2016 Niners draftee likely has a secure spot, if not on the 53-man roster, at least on the practice squad should he make it there.

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San Francisco has its project quarterback for this season, but this doesn’t mean Driskel’s job is going to be safe.

Especially if either Kaepernick or Gabbert wind up blossoming under Kelly and, potentially, emerging as a long-term option under center. Still, it’s hard to envision the 49ers giving up on Driskel so quickly.

Strong Bubble: Jeff Driskel

Weak Bubble: Thad Lewis

Next: Identifying Most Important Figures in Chip Kelly's Offense

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