The Niners could take a backup quarterback in the upcoming draft.
The 2025 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, as the San Francisco 49ers currently have the No. 11 overall pick.
Most of the discourse has been around the 49ers’ first-round pick, and rightfully so, as the team needs instant impact rookies after a quiet offseason.
But, there are several needs that San Francisco could address in this draft, so let’s go through every position and find realistic targets for the 49ers, starting with the quarterbacks.
Day 3
The 49ers aren’t going after a quarterback on Day 1. They’ve constantly expressed their commitment to Brock Purdy, with an extension likely in the works this offseason.
But, that doesn’t preclude them from targeting a young quarterback in the draft. Backup quarterbacks can be expensive, and drafting a cheap, cost-controlled option that can be developed is becoming more and more popular around the NFL.
It’s also unlikely that San Francisco targets a quarterback before Day 3 if they take one in this class. They signed Mac Jones to a two-year, $7 million deal to be the No. 2 in 2025, so it’s not an urgent need.
Still, taking a younger option or possibly hitting the undrafted free agent market is a realistic possibility, as San Francisco carries three quarterbacks usually on their 53-man roster, and former undrafted free agent Tanner Mordecai is the only other option on the roster.
So, let’s break down three realistic possibilities that the 49ers could go after.
Ohio State QB Will Howard
A National Champion this season, Howard is an intriguing backup quarterback option. He doesn’t have the strongest arm and isn’t the most athletic guy.
But, he has experience, good size at 6’4, 236 pounds, and is a confident player who attacks all areas of the field. He does have sneaky athleticism, which the 49ers like, and looks to make winning plays.
His leadership and swagger are also other intangibles that could appeal to San Francisco, as he has good poise and toughness in the pocket.
Howard’s traits don’t scream off the chart, but he’s a viable Day 3 selection if he ends up being the best player on the board.
Louisville QB Tyler Shough
There are several red flags that are eye-opening about Shough. He’s 25 and has an extensive injury history, which doesn’t bode too well for his potential.
But, San Francisco doesn’t need him to be a frontline starter; they only need a capable backup on a cost-controlled deal. And Shough can be that guy.
The Louisville quarterback has a good arm, and he also has good size at 6’5, 219 pounds. He’s also a sneaky good athlete, running a 4.63 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, although his mobility may be limited by his injury history.
Ultimately, the arm talent is there. He can make all kinds of throws, especially when the reads are there for him. That seems like a Kyle Shanahan kind of quarterback.
Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard
Talk about National Championship quarterbacks. Leonard is one of the better athletes at quarterback in the class, and is a true competitor with toughness and grit.
The arm talent isn’t as good here, but he’s a gamer and works well when initial reads are present. Leonard has solid size too, at 6’4, 216 pounds, and doesn’t make many poor decisions.
He may take some more time to develop, but the 49ers have the luxury for that with Mac Jones being their backup in 2025. If Leonard falls late on Day 3 or even into the undrafted free agent pool, he’s a possible option at quarterback.