Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Recapping Each Quarterback Drafted Since 2000

By Peter Panacy

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7, left) shakes hands with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11, right) after the game at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chiefs 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7, left) shakes hands with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11, right) after the game at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chiefs 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) warms up as quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) watches out of uniform before the game against the Houston Texans at Levi’s Stadium. Houston defeated San Francisco 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) warms up as quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) watches out of uniform before the game against the Houston Texans at Levi’s Stadium. Houston defeated San Francisco 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Driskel

2016 NFL Draft, Round 6, No. 207 Overall

Jeff Driskel has the accolade of being the last quarterback taken by former general manager Trent Baalke.

The former Florida underachiever transferred to Louisiana Tech for the 2015 season, where he eventually went on to throw for more than 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

All this led to the 49ers selecting the quarterback in Round 6 of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Since it’s not long ago, fans can recall none of San Francisco’s quarterbacks were separating themselves from the pack that training camp. Sure, Driskell was raw. But his chances of making the roster seemed good at the time.

But the Niners elected to bring in free-agent Christian Ponder, which ensured Driskell wouldn’t make the 53-man roster.

Instead of landing on the 49ers’ practice squad, Driskell found himself plucked by the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s still there.

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Sure, there have been a number of regime changes dating back to 2000. So it’s hard to point a finger at one target responsible for the largely lackluster quarterbacking play the Niners have had over the last 16-plus seasons.

The closest San Francisco has gotten to boasting a true QB star was Kaepernick. And that stint only lasted two-plus years.

Now, the 49ers are tasked with finding the team’s next great quarterback. Perhaps this takes place in the 2017 NFL Draft.

But if anything, the Niners are hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.