With Mullens and Beathard entering their final year, should the 49ers draft a QB?

One position we haven’t talked about in this year’s upcoming NFL Draft is quarterback. The San Francisco 49ers are locked in with Jimmy Garoppolo under center for at least the 2020 season. If Garoppolo continues to develop and improve as a player, he’ll continue to be the Niners signal-caller after next year. Behind Jimmy, G could look different after 2020. Both backup quarterbacks Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard are entering the final years of their contract. Could the 49ers invest in a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft?

Some of the 49ers Twitter believes a player like Jordan Love is worth it in the first round. For starters, Love will be long gone by the 49ers’ second pick in the first round. Secondly, everyone falls for the big arm and ignores quarterbacks’ accuracy, decision-making, and how they handle the pressure. Love struggles in each of those areas.

Love fits the Kyle Shanahan mold. The list of quarterbacks that Shanahan has drafted as an offensive coordinator or coach the past decade: Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Johnny Manziel, Beathard, and handpicking Mullens as well as trading for Jimmy G. Shanahan asks his quarterbacks to throw on the run, so mobility is a key trait. So, who fits in this year’s class?

Washington State’s Anthony Gordon is a popular late-round prospect. Gordon succeeded Gardner Minshew in the Cougars air raid offense. Gordon’s EPA was higher than Justin Herbert in 2019. Gordon needs to be more consistent with his mechanics, but he has something you cannot teach, and that’s high-level accuracy. Gordon is a quality late-round pick and would be an upgrade over Mullens and Beathard. The issue is Gordon will likely be long gone by the time the 49ers pick on Day 3.

An undrafted free agent gem is a player the 49ers won’t have to go far to watch. Fresno State’s Jorge Reyna is an intriguing prospect that could backup Jimmy G. Reyna has no issue throwing the ball at every level of the field. I like his ability to escape pressure and how Reyna keeps his eyes down the field. Are there any quarterbacks you’d like the 49ers to draft later in the draft?