Scouting QBS at No. 3 and what’s next for Garoppolo
Long story short, here are the 49ers’ nuggets amid trade fallout, quarterback speculations and optimistic visions of Levi’s Stadium crowds:
1. OK, WIO ARC Ticy BRAETINH? >> Every Youtuber is an expert, surveying highlights to peg the 49ers’ next quarterback at No. 3 in the draft. Best bet is just to wait and listen for it from a Shanahan (Kyle, or father, Mike, or son, Carter).
Don’t stress. Enjoy the speculation. Workshop it another month. My way tooamateur, too-early scouting report, in order of my preference for the 49ers and not necessarily Shanahan’s (assuming Trevor Lawrence is Jacksonville’s No. 1 man):
• Zach Wilson (BYU): Throws like he’s playing ultimate Frisbee ... Charismatic charm on a Garoppolopian level, mixed with Farve-like fun ... Two years recovered from shoulder surgery ... Nostalgiac link between BYU and the last 49ers’ QB to win the Lombardi Trophy, that being Steve Young, a Wilson fan. ... Jets hold No. 2 pick, so they could do a Jets-like gaffe and skip him.
• Justin Fields (Ohio State): Competitive, chipon-shoulder edge … Showcased deep ball, 4.4 speed at his pro day ... Concerns exist about his progressions … Helmet scouts rip Ohio State’s bad QB history, to which the Georgia-transfer Fields says: “I’m different than those guys. My work ethic is unmatched and my dedication to being great is another level.” … Coached by Shanahan, QB coach Rich Scangarello at high school clinic.
• Mac Jones (Alabama): More game-ready, familiar with Shanahan concepts ... Not ‘Bama’s star nor was that necessary, as would be the case on the 49ers … Fbs-leading 77.4 completion percentage, 4,500 yards for national champs … Closer to dad-bod status or Tom Brady combinephoto physique? ... Deepball overthrow at pro day relived Super Bowl horrors.
• Trey Lance (North Dakota State): Freak athlete needs time to develop … Turns 21 in May … Won all 17 starts, including just one last year … Had 16-0 brilliance toward 2019 FCS national title (2,786 passing yards, 1,110 rushing yards, no interceptions) … Compared to Josh Allen, Steve Mcnair, Ryan Tannehill and, let’s do it, Colin Kaepernick, a fellow 6-foot-4, 224-pound dual-threat … Won FCS Walter Payton Award (Garoppolo won it in 2013).
2. MIMIA Tic MABNCSS >> The 49ers aren’t seeking or expecting a peaceful transition of power. They’re OK if Jimmy Garoppolo is angry and takes that out on defenses while his heir apparent learns from the sideline.
“Me knowing Jimmy, the more mad Jimmy gets, usually the better he gets,” Shanahan said Monday. “So, if Jimmy just gets madder and he stays healthy, I mean, this is going to be a good thing for Jimmy, too, which could be a great problem for the 49ers.”
That would recalibrate Garoppolo’s trade value back to first-round range. Word inside is that Garoppolo hasn’t generated more than a third-round offer this year. The 49ers are past the prudent point of a trade. They need veteran stewardship rather than immediately entrust a rookie. So it’s Garoppolo, now that Andy Dalton (Chicago Bears, $10 million), Joe Flacco (Philadelphia Eagles, $3.5 million) and other vets found gigs elsewhere.
This is not Joe Montana and Young from 30-plus years ago. But, amazingly, it could be magnified way more thanks to social media. Maybe Garoppolo goes off like Drew Brees when Philip Rivers arrived in San Diego. Ideally, Garoppolo responds as Aaron Rodgers did at an Mvpwinning level last year, after Green Bay spent a firstround pick on Jordan Love, a third-string rookie.
3. ROBHCRS’ Nea CXIT? >> Speaking of Rodgers, his 17th season in Green Bay is no sure thing, not with the NFL’S quarterback carousel still spinning another month. The Packers won’t foolishly flip him to an NFC rival like the 49ers, who whiffed on him in 2005 (when he might have been too combustible to cope with a horrendous roster).
But a league source says the Raiders and Denver Broncos are potential destinations. Those teams could bring the Chico native into the AFC West. Perplexed after last season’s finale, Rodgers likely would just prefer if the Packers bump his salary into the $40 millionplus club occupied by Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Dallas’ Dak Prescott.
Packers president Mark Murphy declined to discuss Rodgers’ contract when asked by reporters Tuesday. Rodgers’ exit could expedite the 49ers’ path toward unseating the Buccaneers (and that Brady guy they rejected last year out of short-lived loyalty to Garoppolo). Rodgers’ immediate move: hosting Jeopardy the next two weeks, per ESPN’S Adam Schefter. 4. Kciinb CNCMY LINCS >> K’waun Williams is back on a one-year deal, and I couldn’t resist asking him if the Chiefs, during his free agency visit there, showed off the Lombardi Trophy they won against the 2019 49ers.
That teed up a possible response of: “Yes, and it incited me to get back here and win one with my 49ers teammates.” Instead, Williams replied: “We’re not going to talk about that. It was a cool visit. Besides that, I don’t want to bring up the Lombardi anymore.”
A top-notch slot cornerback, he hopes to parlay a season of better health into a bigger payday next year, when the free agency market should correct itself. He said all the offers he received this year were similar, so being able to play “one more year” with the 49ers was “too intriguing.” Just one more year? A lot of finality and urgency to that.
5. AIRIS SIMMS’ QK WATAI >> Shanahan dispelled the notion he tips off NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms, saying in the nicest of collegepal ways that Simms is a blabbermouth who can’t be trusted. But that’s not all. Shanahan praised Simms’ analyst skills, and while that may not mean Simms is spot on with Jones being the 49ers’ best fit, don’t dismiss his insight. “He loves watching quarterbacks and doing that stuff,” Shanahan said, “so, I always love to hear his evaluation.”
Simms’ hot take Tuesday about Garoppolo: “Jimmy G is actually slow-footed. And it’s one of the contributing factors to why he’s been injured a bunch.” Other factors: missed blocks, bad luck, slippery sod, etc.
6. ‘Tic ecb’ NIAKNAMC >> The 49ers’ contract and salary cap managers are so revered, at least in-house, that “it’s funny, we refer to them as ‘The Fed,’ because they kind of set prices for the entire league,” Lynch said. “Agents look forward to their pricing of players in free agency.”
Paraag Marathe, Brian Hampton, Richard Buffum and Jeff Diamond comprise “The Fed” foursome.
This offseason’s chores included Trent Williams’ mega-contract, a barrage of one-year deal for others, and the crafty reworking of Dee Ford’s contract to spread out an $11.6 million injury guarantee over the next two years for cap relief. Welcome to Club Fed.