Niner Noise
FanSided

The 49ers Will Still Be in the Quarterback Market in Upcoming NFL Draft

By Robert Smith

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and chief executive officer Jed York during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and chief executive officer Jed York during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Josh Dobbs of Tennessee (11) drops back to pass during the second quarter of the 2017 Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Josh Dobbs of Tennessee (11) drops back to pass during the second quarter of the 2017 Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /

Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee

Comparisons to last year’s breakout star Dak Prescott are inevitable.

Both played in the SEC, both seem to have flown under the radar, both have carried high QB ratings and neither turns the ball over much.

Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs, per sports-reference.com, completed 63 percent of his passes with 27 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. While some draft analysts worry about his arm strength and accuracy on deep throws, that was not the case in Indy.

Scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine witnessed a QB who threw numerous passes from a pro-style drop, threw accurately and had solid timing as well.

The fact Dobbs is comfortable in five- and seven-step drops will expedite his learning curve at the NFL level. Teams hoping to score the “next Dak Prescott,” meaning a late-round, solid mistake-free QB, who can lead his team from day one, may be mining for fool’s gold.

Quarterbacks with that short of a learning curve and an ability to provide leadership at that position as a rookie are a rare breed.

With Kyle Shanahan’s pedigree for working with young, talented QBs (Robert Griffin III in his inaugural season, for example), and a long-term project to overhaul the roster and build a contender, the Niners could potentially select Dobbs and have him develop behind Brian Hoyer.