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2017 NFL Draft: Five Biggest Questions for 49ers

By Logan Stanley

Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: What Will the 49ers Do at Quarterback?

This a hotbed for discussion among analysts.

The 49ers have a need at the position. Yes, the team signed two quarterbacks in the offseason.

But Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley are not the long-term solution to the problem. ESPN’s Todd McShay has even declared quarterback as the biggest need for the 49ers, so clearly some view the position in a dire state.

The 49ers also sit at No. 2 in the draft, ahead of teams with uncertainty at the same position. The Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins and Houston Texans all have issues at quarterback. Do they roll the dice and select one of this year’s top quarterbacks? That’s the lingering question.

The front office has taken this all into account as general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have both personally worked out a handful of the draft class’ top signal-callers.

Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN:

"Kyle Shanahan, Lynch or both of them have now met with or worked out five of the top quarterback prospects in some capacity. That includes Webb, Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, Patrick Mahomes and Mitchell Trubisky."

Trubisky is being viewed as the No. 1 prospect for quarterbacks by most, and it will be interesting to see how San Francisco views the North Carolina product, as well as the rest of the class.

With the possibility of Cousins hitting free agency next year, it raises the intrigue around this question.