Ive put some
realistic projections...
1)
Projected 2011 Season QB depth chart:
Alex Smith, Andy Dalton, Scott Tolzien
Practice Squad
Nathan Enderle
Andy Dalton seems like a good fit for the WCO but he's a spread offense QB and a shortened offseason will hamper is overall development. Alex Smith represents the best chance to win for a FA QB. The Niners are not able to sign Kolb or Palmer.
2)
Projected 2011 Season QB depth chart:
Mark Bulger, Blaine Gabbert, Greg Mcleroy
Practice Squad
Nathan Enderle
The Niners draft Blaine Gabbert early (7 or earlier). Due to the CBA mess, he becomes the future of the QB position. Now Baalke/Harbaugh and company need an immediate stop-gap with WCO experience. Mark Bulger is an awful eventuality, but in this configuration, I would give it 6 weeks before Blaine Gabbert became the starter.
3)
Projected 2011 Season QB depth chart:
Carson Palmer, Christian Ponder, Scott Tolzien
Practice Squad
T.J. Yates
The niners get an elite defensive player at #7, and trade back up into the first round (trading the 2nd, 3rd, and next years' 1st) to get Christian Ponder. At this point, Baalke/Harbaugh push hard for Carson Palmer and overpay for him. We have quality and young talent, and we may have Peterson too