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The 49ers could very likely be in the market for a quarterback when the NFL draft rolls around in April. If they opt to address the position in the first round, BYU’s Zach Wilson could be a player they target at either the No. 12 pick or via a trade up.
Wilson spoke with BYU Sports Nation and mentioned the 49ers when asked about teams he thought he might fit with.
“I haven’t watched a ton of specifics with NFL teams as far as what offense they run. One just off the top of my head is the 49ers just because I’m very familiar with what Kyle Shanahan does and the system that they have in place and I think I’d fit in well there.”
While this doesn’t necessarily tie Wilson to the 49ers since the pre-draft process hasn’t started, it’s interesting that San Francisco and Shanahan were the first club to pop into his head. Given other quarterbacks’ success in his offense though it’s not a huge surprise that Wilson might like to start his NFL career in that system.
Wilson, a 6-3, 210-pound junior, showed good mobility and a big arm this year for the Cougars en route to the best year of his college career. He completed 73.4 percent of his throws for 3,699 yards, averaged 11.0 yards per attempt, and threw 33 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
The 49ers weren’t the only team that came to mind for Wilson though. He also mentioned the Panthers and their offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Brady prior to this season was the offensive coordinator at LSU for Joe Burrow’s monster final season. Burrow and Wilson share an agent, and Wilson said because of that he’s studied a lot of Burrow’s tape in Brady’s offense.
However, Wilson told BYUSN that he’s not banking on going to any one or two teams.
“At that level you can make it work with any team you go with,” Wilson said. “I think there’s a lot of amazing coaches at any team you end up with.”
It remains to be seen where Wilson will land in what could be a loaded group of quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence figures to be the No. 1 overall pick. After that things get murky between Wilson, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, Florida’s Kyle Trask and possibly Alabama’s Mac Jones who hasn’t yet declared.
We probably won’t know of the 49ers’ plans on Day 1 of the draft until they’re slated to pick. If they weren’t planning on taking a quarterback early, that could easily change if Wilson drops into their range at the No. 12 pick and they agree with the QB that he’s a good fit for their offense.
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