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San Francisco 49ers: A Way-Too-Early Look at Position Needs for 2018

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 20, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) warms up before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) warms up before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Quarterback

Unless C.J. Beathard, whom the Niners picked up in Round 3 of the draft, somehow becomes the next great signal-caller in a Kyle Shanahan system, the 49ers will be looking for their franchise quarterback of the future.

Incumbents Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley are stopgap options, nothing more. And few NFL teams reach the postseason with any regularity without a good-to-elite QB under center.

Thankfully, and unlike the 2017 class, 2018 offers up plenty of options at the position.

More from Niner Noise

USC’s Sam Darnold is garnering most of the attention as the top quarterbacking prospect next year. But how many USC quarterbacks, since Carson Palmer, have made it at the NFL level? Not many.

UCLA’s Josh Rosen is interesting, and I’m a fan of Washington’s Jake Browning (he’s from Folsom, California, and so am I — go Bulldogs).

But according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, the guy to watch here is Wyoming’s Josh Allen:

Of course, the 49ers could pony the money up for Washington Redskins QB Kirk Cousins this offseason. The two have reported mutual interest, so maybe that’s the route San Francisco goes.

It will be an interesting choice for Shanahan, Lynch and Co. Cousins would likely command top dollar. And even though San Francisco will have money to spend, it might be best to go the route most teams do with the position and find someone via the draft.

Next: Biggest 49ers Winners & Losers from the 2017 NFL Draft

Regardless, it will be hard for the 49ers to find any sort of continued success without addressing the most important position in football.