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San Francisco 49ers: Full 2016 Report-Card Grades for Every Position

By Peter Panacy

Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) warms up with quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) warms up with quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

D-. . Quarterback . San Francisco 49ers.

Yup, the 49ers need a franchise quarterback in 2017 and beyond.

We all know this. Neither Colin Kaepernick nor Blaine Gabbert will be the long-term answer moving forward. And both could be gone by the time Week 1 of next season rolls around.

Kaepernick took over for Gabbert in Week 6, and it was a necessary change. Gabbert’s numbers were pretty putrid over the early weeks of the year.

While Kap did have some positive moments down the stretch, including winning Week 16 against the Los Angeles Rams almost by himself, the maligned quarterback is still making the same kind of mistakes he was known for years ago.

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Biggest Standout: Colin Kaepernick

In a controversial year, Kaepernick still manages to be the biggest standout at this position.

But it’s merely by default. Kap is just a slightly better option than Gabbert under center.

His 59.2 completion percentage wasn’t three points ahead of Gabbert’s (56.9). But Kaepernick’s passer rating (90.7) was substantially higher than Gabbert’s (68.4). Additionally, Kap’s touchdown-to-interception ratio (16-to-4) was pretty impressive, as were his scrambling abilities.

Still, Kap will be remembered mostly for second-half meltdowns. In 2016, Kaepernick’s third- and fourth-quarter combined passer rating was just 70.3.

Biggest Bust: Blaine Gabbert

Well, this shouldn’t be much of a surprise either.

Five weeks into the 2016 season, it was clear the Niners needed to make a change under center and move away from Gabbert.

Gabbert’s numbers this season were pretty awful. Pro Football Focus ranked him the No. 36 out of 36 qualifying quarterback this year.

It didn’t work at all for Gabbert under center, and fans are perfectly fine with him departing via free agency this offseason.