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East-West Shrine Game: 5 NFL Draft Prospects the 49ers Should Watch

By Peter Panacy

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) leaps over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Marquez White (27) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) leaps over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Marquez White (27) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 4, 2016; Oxford, OH, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush (21) looks to pass against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks in the first half at Fred Yager Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Oxford, OH, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush (21) looks to pass against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks in the first half at Fred Yager Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback Cooper Rush, Central Michigan

Collegiate Statistics

It’s likely the 49ers target a quarterback early in the 2017 NFL Draft.

But with on-roster QBs Blaine Gabbert, Thad Lewis and Christian Ponder hitting free agency — and Colin Kaepernick possibly opting out — it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Niners target another signal-caller later in the draft.

Enter Central Michigan’s Cooper Rush.

At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Rush has the physical makeup of an NFL quarterback. The four-year starter certainly has some decision-making questions, as his 23-to-16 touchdown-to-interception ratio last year would suggest.

But when he’s on, Rush does display some canny accuracy and the ability to withstand pressure inside the pocket.