NFL Draft: 4 quarterbacks SF 49ers can consider to replace Jimmy Garoppolo
By Seth Steere
Jimmy Garoppolo hasn’t proven to be the SF 49ers’ answer at quarterback and the NFL Draft may be the best option moving forward.
Quarterbacks are going to be a hot commodity in the 2021 NFL Draft, potentially the SF 49ers.
With the first two teams in the draft — the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets — likely taking a quarterback with the first two picks, QB-needy teams selecting behind them will likely have to scramble and look to trades to get their guy.
The best chance to get the third quarterback off the board is to trade with the Miami Dolphins, who own the No. 3 overall pick via last year’s trade with the Houston Texans. But the Dolphins may have their eyes on Oregon offensive tackle, Penei Sewell. Perhaps even a quarterback if they believe one of the quarterbacks on the board is better than what they currently have, Tua Tagovailoa.
If the SF 49ers want to land one of the “Big-4” (Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, BYU’s Zach Wilson, and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance), they are going to have to trade up from where they are now, 12th overall.
This would also state the SF 49ers are wanting to move on from their current starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, whose injuries in 2018 and 2020 haven’t exactly reinforced the case San Francisco wants to continue committing to him. And freeing up $24.1 million in much-needed cap space, should the SF 49ers move on from Jimmy G, would solve a lot of other questions, too.
With the way Fields performed in the Sugar Bowl and his body of work over his career, he has an excellent shot to be the second quarterback selected. This puts the Niners in a tough spot if they want to get their guy in the first round.
They will have to give up future draft capital and it could be more than fans would like to see.
That being said, let’s take a look at some of the options San Francisco can pursue in the draft if it’s indeed time to move on from Garoppolo.