:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32429757/20131129_pjc_se9_207.0.jpg)
San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh had a chance to meet with San Jose State quarterback David Fales at some point recently (maybe the 49ers local Pro Day), as he has been making the rounds of many of the draft eligible quarterbacks. The 49ers could use some additional competition behind Colin Kaepernick, and they may be prepared to invest some draft capital in the position.
Quarterback David Fales said 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh told him they are going to select a QB in the draft
— John Devine (@JohnJDevine) May 2, 2014
This is not exactly a shocking revelation from Fales. Blaine Gabbert is likely going to be the primary backup to Kap this year, but the team will continue looking for options. McLeod Bethel-Thompson will compete in training camp, but you just know there will be at least one more body there, if not more. Maybe it's Fales, maybe it's Logan Thomas or Aaron Murray, maybe it's a whole host of options.
The 49ers have plenty of draft capital to invest a day three pick in a quarterback. They could invest in a quarterback they can develop behind Kap, and in two or three years, they can then turn around and deal that quarterback for a mid-round pick. In a perfect world, they'd pull a Kevin Kolb or Matt Flynn type of deal and get higher picks. I would not hold my breath for that, but you never know what our "QB whisperer" can do with another prospect.
It's great what Coach Harbaugh and Geep Chryst have done with Colin Kaepernick, but I'd love to see them develop a quality backup. The 49ers did not need to use Colt McCoy this past season outside of garbage time, but they need to find a better long-term development option. The question now is likely a matter of when in the draft they add a quarterback.