The San Francisco 49ers are still considering a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport. He reported that “several sources with knowledge of the team's thinking” say the team is strongly considering a QB with the pick. Sources told him the 49ers view North Carolina’s Mitchell Trubisky as the top QB on the market, and, “those who know coach Kyle Shanahan well insist North Carolina QB Mitchell Trubisky would best fit what he does on offense.”
The 2017 NFL draft is three days away, and this year features a draft with a lot of teams up top looking to trade down. With the Cleveland Browns likely taking Myles Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick, the key to the rest of the draft could rest with the 49ers. If other teams are convinced the 49ers are seriously considering Mitchell Trubisky, a trade could be made.
And that could be the key here. The 49ers have made it clear they’re looking to deal the pick, but given how difficult it can be to get a trade done, they will have their board ready to make a selection as needed. Having the second pick in a draft where the first pick is likely to be one specific player means the new front office and coaching staff have had three months to review everybody else. They know what will be there, and on the off chance the Browns do take a quarterback at No. 1, well then, Myles Garrett is there for them.
Do you think the 49ers go quarterback at No. 2? Or is this a smoke screen? John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have done their homework on this quarterback class. There is talk the team could wait until next year and land Kirk Cousins, or consider one of the quarterbacks in what is expected to be a loaded class. I do think the 49ers need to draft a QB this year, but it does not necessarily need to be a forced pick in the first round. There are several intriguing developmental options that could be had on day two or three.
If the 49ers are going to pick a QB at No. 2, you better be really sure he’s the guy you want. You don’t have the same financial stake in a No. 2 pick as you did under the old CBA, but that No. 2 pick is still critical in a rebuilding process. If the 49ers blow this pick, it could set the rebuilding process back several years. That’s not to say picking a QB is the wrong pick if you really, really, really think Trubisky or one of the others is the right pick there. But you better be reeeeeeeeally sure about it.