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NFL Free Agency: 10 Under-the-Radar Players the 49ers Should Sign

By Peter Panacy

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Justin Hunter (17) jumps in the stands after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Justin Hunter (17) jumps in the stands after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill (13) runs off the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans 25-16. during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill (13) runs off the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans 25-16. during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Quarterback Shaun Hill

2016 Cap Hit: $3,250,000

OK, so the 49ers are likely going to target a rookie quarterback in the NFL Draft. Perhaps two.

Regardless, the Niners need a veteran presence at this position and someone who can act as a mentor for young, developing players looking to get acclimated to life at the NFL level.

Enter veteran QB Shaun Hill.

Hill’s tenure with four different teams, and primarily as a backup, defines a mentor-type role. The fact he’s stuck around the league all the way to being 36 years old speaks to this capacity.

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This NFL free agency target could even start in 2017, provided the Niners don’t feel as if a rookie signal-caller is quite ready to go.

And that’s fine — have young guys learn from someone who has been around the league for a while. The best mentors don’t always have to be the best quarterbacks in NFL history.

Next: 2017 NFL Draft: Round 1 Mock for All 32 Teams

Heck, the ones who had to press hard to just to make rosters are often the best teachers.