The 49ers are among a number of teams showing interest in Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey, according to a tweet from Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Wilson tweeted Tuesday morning that the 49ers, Saints, Washington Football Team, Bengals, Vikings, Buccaneers, and Cardinals have all shown interest in Ramsey, according to a league source, and that Ramsey recently had a zoom meeting with the Cardinals.
Ramsey (6-2, 220) threw for 1,733 yards, 12 touchdowns, and eight interceptions for the Wildcats in 2020 after spending three seasons at Indiana University. He led the Wildcats to an 8-2 season and had his most productive game in a 35-24 Citrus Bowl win over Auburn, throwing for 291 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions on 24-of-35 passing before being selected as the game's MVP. Ramsey threw for 6,581 yards, 42 touchdowns and 23 interceptions at Indiana, where he wound up losing the starting job to Michael Penix Jr. before deciding to transfer.
Ramsey projects as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent. A scouting report for The Draft Network says Ramsey would be an ideal fit as a practice squad quarterback and a scheme fit for a team running a "spread offense with vertical elements and A-level RPOs."
"Ramsey's arm talent can best be described as adequate and will be a significant limiting factor to his NFL impact," the report says. "But today's game can be won both inside and outside of structure and Ramsey offers you just enough in both to serve as a bottom of the roster quarterback for emergency situations."
Wilson tweeted earlier this month that Ramsey scored a 30 on his Wonderlic Test and that teams were interested in his "athletic traits" and "football acumen." Ramsey told the Pro Football Network in a recent interview that his preparation was among the most important assets he'll bring to an NFL team.
"I think the biggest thing that I bring and where it all starts is the way I prepare," Ramsey said. "Not only in the film room, but in the way I take care of my body, and that's the way I've always been. The way I watch film and get prepared and know what the defense is going to show me is kind of why I had success in college. I'm mobile enough to get out of the pocket and make plays out of the pocket, athletic enough to do that and my footwork has come a long way."
The 49ers are searching for depth and improvement at the quarterback position this offseason, although to what extent they upgrade the position remains to be seen. If they choose to look for help in the later rounds of the draft or among undrafted players, Ramsey could be one of several candidates they consider.
