3 QBs the San Francisco 49ers could draft next week

With less than a week to go before the start of the 2023 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers are exploring many different avenues.

After having a stellar season with a deep playoff run, the Red & Gold are set to use their 11 draft selections to bolster the roster from top to bottom. That includes premier positions on offense and defense, with the defensive line being an area of focus thus far.

But thanks to their current situation at quarterback, could San Francisco be in the market for another cheap gunslinger?

The NFC West champs have had their fair share of success recently, as former Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, led the team to the NFC Championship Game last season. And while we all know how that played out, nabbing another QB in the draft isn’t the worst idea if you’re the 49ers.

So with that being said, here are three options at quarterback in this year’s draft class for the San Francisco 49ers.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson

College: UCLA

The 49ers like their signal-callers to do a little bit of everything and UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson can do just that.

A five-year starter, “DTR” finished college with 10,710 passing yards, 88 passing TDs and 36 INTs. A dual-threat QB out of the backfield, he also had 1826 rushing yards and 28 solo scores, making him dangerous in the open field. Under coach Chip Kelly, Dorian Thompson-Robinson improved his decision-making and accuracy over the years, showing that experience has paid off for him.

At the NFL scouting combine, he ran a 4.56 40-yard dash with a 1.51 10-yard split. He also had a 32.5 inch vertical, a 10’1″ broad jump, a 7.28 three-cone drill and a 4.44 short shuttle.

“I think somebody is going to be intrigued by him,” an NFC executive told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “Good athlete. Kind of got gamer qualities to him. Streaky as a passer. But he’s got enough size (6-1 5/8, 203 pounds) and he’s a really good athlete and got enough arm. Can you harness all that and put it together?”

San Francisco has held a private workout with DTR, later bringing him to Santa Clara for a Top-30 visit.

Jake Haener

College: Fresno State

Another player the 49ers have worked out: Fresno State’s Jake Haener.

Playing for Washington and Fresno State, Haener played four seasons in college, with two of them being as the full-time starter. The Danville native helped the Bulldogs turnaround their misfortunes with two 10-win seasons in the last two years. Fresno State finished first in the MWC West standings last season, the first time that’s happened since 2018.

Haener has many traits the 49ers covet, including play-time experience and overall command of the offense. he finished in the 96th percentile for the S2 cognitive test, second amongst quarterbacks.

“I think he’s similar to Gardner Minshew,” an NFC executive stated. “He’s got some gamer to him, he’s accurate — he just doesn’t have a big arm. But he’s got a little Drew Brees to him. The ball’s going to come out. He knows where he’s going with it. He’s just not a big person (5-11 5/8, 207 pounds), so can he hold up?”

The Danville native finished his collegiate career with 9120 passing yards, 68 touchdowns and 18 INTs.

Max Duggan

College: TCU

While the 49ers have not brought the TCU standout in for a visit or workout, Max Duggan could be another Brock Purdy-type for the Red & Gold.

A four-year starter, Duggan finished college with 47 games under his belt, taking the Horned Frogs to the National Championship Game early this year. He was a prolific passer as well, tossing for 9618 passing yards, 73 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.

A true gamer, Duggan has been credited for his off-schedule throws, able to make plays with his arm or legs in pressure situations. The problems come inside the pocket, with scouts concerned about his ability to go through his progressions in the NFL.

“He plays better when he’s out on the perimeter almost like a point guard, seeing the field, dishing it off, trying to make a play, trying to (be a) create-something-out-of-nothing kind of guy,” an NFC scout said. “He gets a little bit more in trouble when he tries to throw from the pocket because of timing, anticipation, having to be perfect with your footwork. He’s better when sh**’s going haywire.”

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