2021 NFL Draft: One quarterback SF 49ers can scout in each round
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Target for Round 4: Sam Ehlinger, Texas
Sam Ehlinger. 4. player. 851. . Quarterback. Longhorns
We’re getting deeper into the project-type quarterbacks with far more potential towards becoming decent backups than legitimate starting-caliber options.
Yet the SF 49ers have needs there, too, and 2020 revealed just how crucial it can be to have a quality No. 2 option on the roster.
Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger doesn’t exactly wow scouts in any one particular area, but he does a lot of things well and is essentially “good enough” in most departments. A Longhorns leader in the clubhouse, Ehlinger has a Nick Mullens-type of arm, which isn’t a good thing, but the former makes up for it with better decision-making and generally better accuracy.
| Passing | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | AY/A | TD | Int | Rate |
| *2017 | Texas | Big 12 | FR | QB | 9 | 158 | 275 | 57.5 | 1915 | 7.0 | 6.6 | 11 | 7 | 124.1 |
| *2018 | Texas | Big 12 | SO | QB | 14 | 275 | 425 | 64.7 | 3292 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 25 | 5 | 146.8 |
| *2019 | Texas | Big 12 | JR | QB | 13 | 296 | 454 | 65.2 | 3663 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 32 | 10 | 151.8 |
| *2020 | Texas | Big 12 | SR | QB | 10 | 194 | 322 | 60.2 | 2566 | 8.0 | 8.9 | 26 | 5 | 150.7 |
| Career | Texas | 923 | 1476 | 62.5 | 11436 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 94 | 27 | 145.0 |
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference
Generated 1/14/2021.
On top of those traits, Ehlinger possesses some traits that would benefit the SF 49ers in a lot of ways.
First, there are the elusive scrambling abilities, as Ehlinger rushed for 1,903 yards and 33 touchdowns over his four-year collegiate career. And unlike Mullens, Ehlinger seems to thrive in instances where the play breaks down, showing off some good improvisation skills.
If the Niners are seeking a quality upgrade to back up whoever starts in 2021, Ehlinger could easily be it.