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NFL Roster Cuts: 5 Biggest Mistakes the 49ers Made in Creating 53-Man Roster

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Christian Ponder (5) and quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) talk prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Christian Ponder (5) and quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) talk prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Christian Ponder (5) runs in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Christian Ponder (5) runs in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Keeping Quarterback Christian Ponder over Rookie Jeff Driskel

Quarterback Christian Ponder’s return to the NFL is a good story. To think he went from painting his house to being on a 53-man roster in just a few weeks is pretty remarkable.

But it also stunts any growth the 49ers might have hoped for with their sixth-round pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, Jeff Driskel.

Driskel ended up being waived. Shortly thereafter, the Cincinnati Bengals claimed him off waivers.

CSN Authentic’s Dylan DeSimone said it best — we have an idea of Ponder’s ceiling at this point. While yet to be determined, Driskel could be a rising talent simply in need of a year or two of development at the NFL level.

San Francisco’s quarterbacks — Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick and Ponder — don’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence moving forward.

In all likelihood, the 49ers will be looking for a quarterback again this upcoming offseason.

Next: Keeping C Marcus Martin