2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Picks, Grades and Analysis
Round 3, Pick No. 40
Player: [QB] C.J. Beathard, Iowa
Height/Weight: 6’2″ and 219 pounds
The 49ers threw in a curveball late on day two, trading back into the third round to select a quarterback, though not one anybody expected, Iowa’s C.J. Beathard.
San Francisco sent a fourth-rounder (No. 109 overall) and a seventh-rounder (No. 219 overall) to the Vikings to get to pick 104 and take Beathard.
It is a confusing move considering Beathard was not considered one of the better developmental quarterback prospects in the class, though he did have some success at Iowa.
He lead the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten title game in the 2015 season, however, with a career completion percentage of under 60 percent, questions will be asked of the 49ers’ thinking.
Strengths
Beathard has decent arm strength and is capable of pushing the ball downfield with touch and accuracy.
He gets the ball out quickly and can lead his receivers to the ball on throws over the middle. Beathard is a mobile quarterback and is a bigger threat to run than he is given credit for, showing the ability to throw with accuracy on the move.
A tough quarterback Beathard is more than willing to hang in the pocket and take shots and is a difficult man to bring down as a runner.
Weaknesses
Beathard’s accuracy on short-to-intermediate throws is severely inconsistent, with too many throws going behind or over the heads of his intended targets.
Timing is also a problem, particularly on out-breaking routes, and his throws to the sideline often arrive with little zip.
His mobility has not lent itself to strong pocket movement, Beathard does not move around the pocket well when under pressure, which he consistently struggles to sense, and he isn’t elusive enough to evade the pass rush consistently despite boasting talent with legs.
Why he fits
Beathard fits because he’s a quarterback and when Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley are your top two options, you need alternatives.
However, with the likes of Jerod Evans and Brad Kaaya still on the board, he appears a bemusing choice.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan must have seen something he likes, but most 49ers fans must be wondering what exactly that is.
Grade: D