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2018 NFL Draft: 5 quarterbacks who could be drafted before 49ers’ first pick

By Aaron Tan

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans scrambles out of the pocket during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans scrambles out of the pocket during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Josh Rosen (UCLA)

On the other side of Los Angeles, Josh Rosen out of UCLA will undoubtedly be the next quarterback selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Where Darnold lacks in mechanics, Rosen more than makes up for it. He has the best mechanics I’ve seen from a quarterback prospect in a long time. He should have no problem adapting to the NFL with his terrifically well-coached mechanics and pocket presence.

Rosen has a cannon for an arm, but he needs some work on his deep ball. It may just be his lack of chemistry with his receivers at UCLA, but he wasn’t connecting with them the majority of the time. The biggest thing I think he needs to improve on is his anticipation on his receiver’s deep routes.

Nevertheless, Rosen is the surefire quarterback to be picked after Darnold gets taken at No. 1. If the New York Giants — who possess the No. 2 pick in the draft — pass on Saquon Barkley, Rosen will be set up as Eli Manning’s successor.