San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has his eyes on someone who he feels can be his quarterback of the future. Someone who can exceed the abilities of his current starter, Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers shocked the NFL world by trading up to the No. 3 spot in the upcoming draft, which starts in a month.

NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein joined the Jake Atman Show this week and shared his insight into the decision to trade up (h/t to Patrick Tulini). San Francisco's comments that Garoppolo remains in the team's plans for at least the upcoming season offers a big hint to Zierlein regarding the 49ers' draft plans.


"I think that Kyle Shanahan believes he's found the quarterback that fits his offense, and I think it's going to be Trey Lance," Zierlein said. "But if it is Trey Lance, it certainly is not likely that he would be a guy that you would hope would play this year. He clearly needs more seasoning, more work, more experience. But he fits what Kyle Shanahan does."

Trevor Lawrence is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Zach Wilson is the favorite to land with the New York Jets at No. 2. Of course, things could change if Jets head coach Robert Saleh opts to go in another direction.

Maybe Shanahan and the 49ers know something the rest of us don't. After all, Saleh is the team's former defensive coordinator and remains close with Shanahan.

"So, basically, I think what they have with [the connection to Saleh], I think they feel fairly confident they know what the Jets are going to do at two," Zierlein continued. "And because of that, I think they feel like they can move to three and either take their pick of Zach Wilson or whoever the other quarterback is, just in case a different quarterback went No. 2.

"That's basically making sure they get their quarterback of the future. So, that just tells you that Jimmy Garoppolo, they know for a fact that he's not the answer."


Zierlein goes on to say that the 49ers could still move on from Garoppolo before the start of the season. That doesn't mean they would throw Lance into the starting role, though. He would still need to sit behind someone. Another veteran, perhaps. That may offer some insight into the 49ers' interest in Joe Flacco, who opted to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Zierlein believes that prospects like Justin Fields or Mac Jones — two other options for San Francisco — are more ready to start now than Lance. So, if the 49ers did opt to part ways with Garoppolo, it might point more toward one of those other players.



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