Breaking Down the 49ers roster – Quarterback

With the off-season now underway following the Seattle Seahawks 43-8 rout of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, there is no better time to break down the 49ers roster and the potential changes that could be made by San Francisco’s front office.

We start with the all-important quarterback position.

San Francisco’s starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick unsurprisingly spent all of this past season in the spotlight, with questions raised about his abilities and his development as a passer in the NFL.

For the most part Kaepernick answered those questions, leading the Niners back to the NFC Championship game and displaying his best form in the play-offs, particularly in the 23-20 Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers.

Yet there can be no doubt that Kaepernick still has improvements to make in both his decision making and his mechanics.

However, Kaepernick, with his unbelievable physical tools and love of the big stage, has won many games for San Francisco and gives the 49ers the best chance to be successful in 2014.

Kaepernick is scheduled to become a free agent in 2015, a situation the 49ers organisation will likely look to remedy by locking him down to a multi-year extension.

Only injury will prevent from Kaepernick from lining up as the starting QB for San Francisco in 2014, and that is a scenario that should scare 49ers fans given the lack of a viable backup.

Colt McCoy, who spent 2013 as Kaepernick’s deputy, is a free agent in 2014 and unlikely to return.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson, signed to a future/reserve contract last month, is the only other QB on the roster.

So how will the 49ers shore up the quarterback spot with a reputable backup? The answer may well come via the draft.

A mobile QB that can fit into the offensive system the 49ers have built for Kaepernick should be the requirement for San Francisco, but there are few free-agent quarterbacks available that fit that mould.

Philadelphia Eagles outcast Michael Vick is an obvious fit, however, it is difficult to see San Francisco bringing in an aging, expensive and potentially disruptive veteran whose best days appear to be behind him.

Instead look for the 49ers to draft and develop a QB behind Kaepernick.

If the Niners are indeed looking for another dual-threat quarterback then Clemson’s Tajh Boyd could be the pick.

Boyd, similar to Kaepernick and Seahawks signal caller Russell Wilson, possesses a strong arm, great mobility and is adept at making plays on the run.

In his time at Clemson Boyd threw for 11,904 yards and 107 touchdowns and was viewed as one of the top prospects heading into the 2013 season.

However, a disappointing showing at the Senior Bowl - where he completed just seven of 16 passes for 31 yards with no touchdowns and one interception - will not have helped Boyd’s draft stock, and he could be available in the mid-rounds.

Other options away from Boyd include Georgia’s Aaron Murray and LSU’s Zach Mettenberger.

Murray and Mettenberger prefer to operate within the pocket, but both have the ability extend plays and will more than likely be available in the mid-rounds after each suffering knee ligament injuries in 2013.

Quarterback will hardly be the priority for the 49ers in the off-season. Still, if they can tie down Kaepernick to an extension and recruit a talented backup, then the QB spot could be secured for years to come in San Francisco.