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2018 NFL Scouting Combine: Quarterback landscape remains unchanged ahead of NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: USC quarterback Sam Darnold talks with Ken Zampese of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: USC quarterback Sam Darnold talks with Ken Zampese of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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With quarterbacks having completed drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, did any NFL Draft shakeup take place for Round 1 in 2018? Not exactly.

Quarterback workouts wrapped up on day two of the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, and there wasn’t exactly a lot of major risers or fallers from the first tier of prospective signal-callers.

This is important for the San Francisco 49ers, who own the ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft this April. With more than a handful of quarterback-needy teams ahead of the Niners in draft order, Saturday’s combine events had some noteworthy implications.

Wyoming’s Josh Allen was one of the names with a good deal to prove. He has the arm strength, but a 56.2 completion percentage over three collegiate years surely worried some scouts.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco was one who wasn’t worried about that, though, instead citing Allen’s pro-level abilities from the combine:

"[Allen’s] right arm lived up the hype Saturday during the quarterbacks throwing session, lofting a rocket 70 yards that had the scouts drooling on one throw. But it was more than that. It was the way he carried himself through the three days in Indianapolis. …He was inaccurate at times at Wyoming, but his poor completion percentage of 56.2 isn’t just a result of his inaccuracy. He played with receivers who had trouble catching his rifle shots at times, and his line was awful."

This could affect the 49ers, as Allen might have pushed himself into top-10 consideration. It’s not hard to find mock drafts out there with Allen listed as a mid-round pick.

If he goes early, though, all that would probably do is push down another QB in the draft order.

Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson See Draft Stock Slip at the NFL Scouting Combine

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks listed UCLA’s Josh Rosen and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson among the losers at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Of Rosen, Brooks wrote:

"The most polished passer in the 2018 quarterback class was expected to put on a throwing exhibition that would create buzz in Indianapolis about his readiness as a franchise QB. But Rosen failed to play up to expectations, struggling with his accuracy and ball placement in drills. Rosen missed the mark on several intermediate throws, particularly on out-breaking routes (speed out and post-corner)."

Rosen went No. 2 to the New York Giants in Niner Noise’s latest mock. His poor performance might push Allen into the discussion being selected second overall, but this report would suggest Rosen might fall beyond San Francisco’s own selection.

Jackson, meanwhile, had accuracy issues as well. Niners Wire’s Chris Biderman now suggests he’ll fall outside the top 10.

A position likely not to affect San Francisco on day one of the draft.

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Simply put, Allen, USC’s Sam Darnold and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield remain probable top-10 selections, even though Darnold will hold off on throwing until his pro day. Jackson likely winds up going after the Niners’ No. 9 overall pick.

Allen is probably still in play, though his stock slipped.

We’ll see if draft buzz changes between now and day one of the draft on Apr. 26. But it doesn’t look as if the quarterbacking landscape has changed much.

Next: 2018 NFL Draft: Round 1 mock, scouting combine version

At least as far as San Francisco is concerned.