49ers to benefit by multiple quarterbacks declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers won’t be looking for a quarterback early in the 2018 NFL Draft after adding Jimmy Garoppolo at the trade deadline. And thanks to the plethora of teams needing one, the Niners’ position improves, as collegiate QBs continue to declare.
Not long ago, the San Francisco 49ers were on the list of many teams likely needing quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft.
That, until the Niners added Jimmy Garoppolo via a deadline-deal trade with the New England Patriots.
The move removes pressure from the organization to find its next signal-caller early on draft day. Now, general manager John Lynch can use the team’s first pick to address other needs.
San Francisco 49ers
And with a slew of collegiate QB prospects declaring for April’s draft, San Francisco’s position only improves.
The 49ers own either the No. 9 or No. 10 overall pick — the order eventually to be determined by a coin flip with the Oakland Raiders. While the drop in draft position, from a likely top-three selection down to the bottom of the top 10, might be seen as counterproductive, the fact all these prospective quarterbacks are declaring only serve to help San Francisco’s situation.
USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, Wyoming’s Josh Allen and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield have all declared for the draft. And it’s possible all could go on day one of the draft.
Plenty of Teams Needing Quarterbacks
At least seven teams are slated to pick ahead of the Niners, with the Cleveland Browns (owning the Houston Texans’ first-round pick) selecting twice.
The Browns could easily be looking to add a new quarterback, as rookie DeShone Kizer finished dead last among qualifiers in completion percentage (53.6) and passer rating (60.5). Right behind them are the New York Giants, who’ll likely seek a long-term replacement for Eli Manning.
The Indianapolis Colts, drafting at No. 3 overall, probably aren’t in the market for a quarterback. But depending on Andrew Luck’s shoulder recovery, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Additionally, the New York Jets (No. 6 overall) will look for a long-term replacement for Josh McCown, who is a free agent and 38 years old.
Behind the Niners, the Arizona Cardinals (No. 15 overall) will be looking to replace a now-retired Carson Palmer. And the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints might be looking for younger QBs to replace Philip Rivers and Drew Brees, respectively, at some point down the line.
It’s important to remember quarterback values only increase between now and draft day. This might prompt teams slated later in Round 1 to move up ahead of San Francisco.
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How It Benefits the 49ers
Quarterback isn’t a Niners need. But plenty of other top-10 prospects might be on Lynch’s radar.
CBS Sports lists non-QB prospects — such as Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson, Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and SMU wide receiver Courtland Sutton — all within the top 10.
San Francisco could use any one of these prospects. And if other teams are focusing more on their quarterbacking needs, many of them will likely be pushed down in the draft order.
Right into the 49ers lap.
Next: Round 1 NFL Draft mock to celebrate 2018
The 2018 NFL Draft is a good case of high supply and high demand, quarterback-wise. And with so many teams likely to reach for a prospective signal-caller, Lynch can feel pretty good about sitting back and letting the draft come to him.