49ers’ best quarterbacks weren’t taken high in draft
[...] Jeff Garcia was signed after spending five seasons in the Canadian Football League.
Most teams land their franchise quarterback by using a premium draft pick, but the 49ers are an exception:
Of the six QBs who have been voted to a Pro Bowl while playing for the 49ers, only Y.A. Tittle and John Brodie were acquired with a first- or second-round selection.
Given that, the 49ers will break from tradition if they locate their next elite QB with the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft Thursday night.
[...] despite their desperate need at the position, the lukewarm reviews on this year’s class mean they very well could wait a bit before selecting a QB.
A host of NFL Network draft analysts are among those underwhelmed by a group headlined by North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky, Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes and Cal’s Davis Webb.
Offered Daniel Jeremiah, a former NFL scout: “I don’t think any of these guys are worth top-10 picks.”
[...] former NFL defensive back Bucky Brooks provided praise, albeit faint: “I know there’s been a lot of shots taken at this class, but I do believe there’s some young developmental players at the position that are intriguing prospects.”
The lack of urgency to see a high-end pick pay immediate dividends is increased by the fact that Shanahan and Lynch have six-year contracts and don’t face win-now pressure after inheriting a 2-14 team.
Smith, the No. 1 pick in 2005, endured a confidence-shattering first few seasons that began with a one-touchdown, 11-interception rookie campaign.
Kaepernick, a 2011 second-round pick, mostly sat for 1½ seasons before leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012.
Kaepernick, who remains a free agent, has since declined, and his regression is why the 49ers are again searching for a quarterback.
Of the six quarterbacks who have been voted to a Pro Bowl with the 49ers, only two were selected by the team with a first- or second-round pick:
First-round pick in 1951; original first-round pick of subsequently defunct Colts of AAFC in 1948.