NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein has released the second version of his mock draft and, like numerous other mocks, has the San Francisco 49ers going with a quarterback with the second overall selection. Zierlein has the 49ers selecting Mitch Trubisky out of North Carolina, who is the same player that he had going to San Francisco in the first version of his mock draft.
"While he has only one season of high-end production, the tape shows a player with an NFL arm, throwing anticipation and poise," writes Zierlein. "Trubisky might have the toughness to learn on the go as an early starter."
The 49ers have numerous needs and the quarterback position is likely at the top of the list. New head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have to identify a quarterback of the future capable of running Shanahan's complex offense.
In Trubisky's only season as a starter for the Tar Heels, he completed 68.2-percent of his passes for 3,748 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
The 49ers quarterback situation could quickly become very bare. Colin Kaepernick is expected to opt out of the remainder of his contract and become a free agent in March. No other 49ers quarterback was signed beyond the 2016 season.
San Francisco has been linked to quarterbacks like Washington's Kirk Cousins, New England's Jimmy Garoppolo, and even Chicago's Jay Cutler – all of who would require a trade. The 49ers could also sign a temporary solution until a quarterback of the future can be identified. Players like Chicago quarterback Brian Hoyer and Atlanta's Matt Schaub have been linked to the 49ers because of their histories with Shanahan.
Obviously, if the 49ers trade for a quarterback, it will greatly impact how they use their top selection in the draft. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media said this week that he would not be shocked at all if a Cousins to the 49ers deal went down next week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Zierlein has the Cleveland Browns selecting Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with the first overall pick and the Chicago Bears selecting Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas.
The first round of the 2017 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 27.