How the 49ers are affected by the 2018 quarterback landscape post free agency
By Peter Panacy
![LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/933d04589f5929b235d9527d8591f318c1ec9313e5d7eada793408c755843f91.jpg)
Quick-Take 2018 Mock NFL Draft, Pick Nos. 1-10
OK, now that we’ve established how the quarterbacking market has shifted in the waning hours before free agency officially begins, let’s have some fun with a top-10 mock NFL Draft.
You know, to determine which quarterbacks come off the board first and how that affects the 49ers’ plans.
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Here we go…
- Cleveland Browns — RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State
- New York Giants — QB Sam Darnold, USC
- Indianapolis Colts — EDGE Bradley Chubb, NC State
- Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans) — QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
- Denver Broncos — OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
- New York Jets — QB Josh Rosen, UCLA
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
- Chicago Bears — DB Denzel Ward, Ohio State
- Buffalo Bills (via 49ers in a mock trade) — QB Josh Allen, Wyoming
- Oakland Raiders — LB Roquan Smith, Georgia
Wait, no 49ers?
The Niners have landed two of their top needs in free agency, cornerback Richard Sherman and offensive lineman Weston Richburg — the latter announced Tuesday. San Francisco’s remaining top need is a pure pass-rusher.
Moving down to No. 12 would help stockpile picks for general manager John Lynch, and the second-best pass-rusher in this year’s draft class is Boston College’s Harold Landry. Meanwhile, the Bills can rest assured a quarterback like Josh Allen doesn’t fall to the possibly QB-looking Miami Dolphins picking at No. 11.
Who knows how that goes, but at least the existing quarterback market provides the 49ers with additional NFL Draft flexibility.
Next: 2018 NFL free agency player tracker
And that’s a very good thing for San Francisco to have.