Niner Noise
FanSided

5 players the 49ers should explore trading before Week 1

By Peter Panacy

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 15: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 15: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the warm up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the warm up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Quarterback C.J. Beathard

The 49ers have an overstock of backup quarterbacks in training camp. Undrafted rookie Wilton Speight surely isn’t going to make the cut. But between third-year pros Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard, it’s anyone’s guess.

One report from NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco stated the Niners backups have operated better with Mullens under center than Beathard.

And considering Beathard’s performances on the field during the regular season haven’t gone well at all, it’s possible he winds up being the loser of this camp competition with Mullens.

Like Joshua Garnett, Beathard’s stock level is about as low as it possibly could be. He already lost a starting job to Mullens last year, while boasting a completion percentage and passer rating towards the bottom of qualifiers the past two years.

Still, it’s time for San Francisco to start shopping Beathard.

It’s hard to say what the quarterbacking landscape will look like between now and Week 1. Other teams’ starters aren’t likely to see much of the preseason. But a number of backups will. And the injury risk is going to be all the same.

So, if there winds up being a team or two looking for a backup, the 49ers would be wise to see what Beathard could command in a trade, even if it winds up being far below the Round 3 draft investment from 2017.