San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has had a busy three days of quarterback evaluations this week. On Tuesday, he was at North Carolina's pro day to watch, among other players, quarterback Mitch Trubisky. On Wednesday, the 49ers and one other team had a workout scheduled with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. On Thursday, Lynch and the 49ers are in South Bend for Notre Dame's pro day, which includes another top quarterback prospect – DeShone Kizer.
On Tuesday, the representatives for the 49ers included Lynch, vice president of player personnel Adam Peters, and senior personnel executive Martin Mayhew. So it's safe to assume that the latter two are with him to watch Kizer. The 49ers currently have the second overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, which kicks off on April 27. After that, they are slated to select again at the number 34 overall pick.
Over the past two seasons for the Fighting Irish, Kizer has completed 61.2-percent of his passes for 5,589 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. He has also run the ball 252 times for 1,029 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Kizer went 8-3 as a starter in 2015 and was considered by many to become the top quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft following his sophomore year. However, Notre Dame won just four games in 2016, dropping the quarterback's stock.
"The comparison to Steve McNair could raise eyebrows, but that is based primarily on size, mobility and arm strength. The aforementioned traits often land a quarterback in the first round, but Kizer's second-half drop in production combined with inconsistent decision-making and accuracy should be a speed bump for teams ready to jump in head-first on the traits. Kizer has the ability to become a quality starter, but has to improve his ball placement and field vision first."
Measurables
Height: 6-4
Weight: 233 lbs.
Arm length: 33 1/8 inches
Hand length: 9 7/8 inches
John Lynch: 49ers 'incredibly encouraged' after Brock Purdy throwing session
By David Bonilla
May 31
Brock Purdy started throwing this week, and it sounds like the San Francisco 49ers are pleased with their second-year quarterback's progress. While Purdy isn't doing anything overly taxing, it is the first time he is throwing a football—albeit reportedly a lighter-weighted one.
Purdy underwent surgery on March 10 to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. His recovery is expected to last into late August or early September—barring any setbacks.
"There are certain markers that you hit," general manager John Lynch said Wednesday morning on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He was 12 weeks out, and that meant it was time to throw. He did so and
Why John Lynch believes 49ers QB Brock Purdy is the "real deal"
By Rohan Chakravarthi
May 31
Over the offseason, there has been significant talk surrounding the San Francisco 49ers and their quarterbacks, especially after the team signed Sam Darnold in free agency, providing them three capable options with starting experience in the former Carolina Panther, Brock Purdy, and Trey Lance.
Purdy is evidently the leader in the clubhouse, as stated by general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan several times this offseason, but many have pointed out his flaws, such as the inability to make throws downfield, as a reason why one of the other quarterbacks could win over the starting job with a strong performance in organized team activities(OTAs) and training camp.
What do the 49ers believe about Purdy's downfield ability?
General manager
John Lynch: 49ers QB Trey Lance having a 'really, really quality offseason'
By David Bonilla
Jun 1
During an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch once again called Brock Purdy the "leader in the clubhouse" when it comes to the team's starting quarterback job. Purdy earned that with his superb play last season as a rookie, helping guide the 49ers to eight consecutive wins before an NFC Championship Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Purdy suffered a UCL tear in that game and will miss most or all of this offseason. That opens the door for Trey Lance or Sam Darnold to impress coaches and potentially climb the depth chart. Lance opened last season as the 49ers' starter but suffered a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2.
The 49ers haven't lost faith in their former No. 3 overall draft pick. They still see a lot
Ex-49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo underwent foot surgery in March
By David Bonilla
May 25
One of the biggest criticisms about Jimmy Garoppolo has been his availability. The quarterback wins football games but has been available for an entire season just once in his career—in 2019.
Garoppolo's latest injury occurred on December 4 while with the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran left a regular-season game against the Miami Dolphins with a foot injury. It was later revealed that he suffered a broken foot and would miss significant time. However, it wasn't believed to require surgery.
That led to the emergence of Brock Purdy, the seventh-round draft pick that took the NFL by storm. He led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game before suffering an injury himself.
Garoppolo remained on the 49ers' 53-man roster through all that. The 49ers
