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How Colin Kaepernick Opting Out Affects the 49ers’ Plans in Free Agency, the NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Agents for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick informed the league he’ll opt out of his contract and test the free-agent market. How does this alter the Niners plans in free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft?

The San Francisco 49ers will likely have zero quarterbacks on their roster at the start of the NFL’s free-agency period on March 9.

This, in the wake of news quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be opting out of his current contract with the team and hitting the free-agent market, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

San Francisco’s other quarterbacks — Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder and Thad Lewis — are also pending free agents. So, needless to say, the Niners are in a bit of a bind.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

That is, of course, if you subscribed to the notion general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan actually wanted Kaepernick under center in 2017. The Niners’ top brass has kept its options open up until this point. And that’s fine.

In reality, Kaepernick opting out merely just confirms suspicions of what many felt would inevitably happen.

The 49ers were never going to pay the quarterback $14.5 million guaranteed in 2017. And Kap knows he won’t command that amount on the open market either.

Still, the news does put a bit more pressure on the Niners to address this situation in free agency and/or the NFL Draft this April.

But how?

Going the Free-Agent Route

A Kaepernick-San Francisco reunion in 2017 is still possible, although it’s just too hard to envision this happening. The quarterback likely saw the proverbial “writing on the wall” and wanted to get on the market as soon as possible.

Better now instead of after many quarterback-needy teams have already found stop-gap and/or permanent options.

Still, Kaepernick is a free-agent option for Lynch and Shanahan. If these two elect to bring Kap back, it’s all but certain the price will be much, much lower. And considering Kaepernick will turn 30 years old in November, it’s highly doubtful they view him as a long-term option.

Here’s a thing to consider though, as pointed out by CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco — Lynch and Shanahan don’t have to rush into signing a franchise QB this year:

So that means it’s perfectly reasonable for the Niners to bring in a short-term option. Veterans like Matt Schaub and/or Brian Hoyer are possible choices here.

The 49ers and the NFL Draft

San Francisco owns the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. It’s the first of 10 picks, and one of them is almost guaranteed to be used on a quarterback.

Determining who gets picked by the Niners, and when, is an entirely different story.

Few think the No. 2 pick is worth spending on a quarterback, and everyone here at Niner Noise feels the same way.

Related Story: 49ers Would Be Foolish to Draft a Quarterback with the No. 2 Pick

But in Rounds 2, 3 or even 4? That’s a different story.

Some later-round names to consider include Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes and Cal’s Davis Webb. Neither should be considered a day-one starter though, so that puts pressure back on the 49ers to find a likable option in free agency.

Even if it’s just a quick fix.

Kirk Cousins and the Trade Route

The Washington Redskins applied the exclusive franchise tag on veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, meaning his agents cannot enter into negotiations with any other team.

It doesn’t rule out a trade though. Washington could still try to deal the quarterback, possibly to San Francisco, this offseason. But according to a report from Pro Football Talk, the Redskins would need to be “blown away” by the offer.

Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Washington defeated Philadelphia 27-22. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Washington defeated Philadelphia 27-22. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

This puts the Redskins into a bit of a bind. They won’t want to let Cousins walk in 2018 for nothing more than a third-round compensatory pick. And it’s pretty clear they’re reluctant to open up the checkbook for a long-term deal.

But are the Niners willing to pony up what would promise to be a lucrative trade package?

It might make sense if San Francisco only needed a quarterback, much like the situation the Houston Texans are in. Yet with the Niners having so many needs across the board, a rebuild project needs all the investment resources possible — draft picks, cap space, etc.

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Going back to Maiocco’s assessment, neither Shanahan nor Lynch will feel rushed. And that should cross Cousins off the list for now.

If anything, Kaepernick’s pending departure merely reinforces what the 49ers’ plans in free agency and the draft will be.

San Francisco will probably grab a veteran, or two, in free agency at a low price. Lynch will pull in a rookie quarterback, or two, as well with the hopes of developing prospects into something worthwhile.