SF 49ers roster: Predicting how quarterback room looks in 2021

SF 49ers Quarterback No. 1: Zach Wilson, BYU

Yes, the Niners move on from Jimmy Garoppolo in this prediction.

Garoppolo’s future would be in doubt if he was anything but an elite quarterback anyway. The cap-pressed 49ers could save $24.1 million in much-needed cap space by moving him this offseason, freeing up more than enough money to re-sign key players like offensive tackle Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, while generating space to extend linebacker Fred Warner without problem.

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So, with Garoppolo gone, to whom will San Francisco turn its long-term quarterbacking hopes?

None other than a top riser in NFL Draft circles, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson.

Wilson, 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, has a solid makeup for an NFL-style quarterback and can make the throws between the numbers, down the sidelines, beyond the sticks and well downfield. While not a pure runner, getting out of the pocket and extending plays is a part of Wilson’s toolbox, adding a dimension Kyle Shanahan hasn’t quite had with any of his quarterbacks thus far.

Most importantly, Wilson is accurate, too. His 73.1 completion percentage with 30 touchdowns against three interceptions over 11 games this season is proof enough he can hit his targets.

It’s entirely possible Wilson rises above where the SF 49ers will be selecting in Round 1 of the NFL Draft, meaning it’ll take some kind of trade-up package to get into the range where the quarterback could go.

But considering how valuable a quality quarterback is to today’s NFL, such a move would be more than worth it from the Niners’ vantage point.