There is a growing belief that the 49ers move on from Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, as injuries and struggles in big-time moments have defined his tenure in the Bay Area. There are numerous QB prospects expected to be available in April's NFL draft, but NBC Sports NFL analyst Chris Simms cautions the 49ers about potentially trading up to select a signal-caller in the top 10.
"You don't do it just for anybody," Simms told NBC Sports Bay Area. "Think about Kansas City Chiefs, they were the No. 2 seed in the AFC Playoffs, and they just went 'hey, we're good, but man, OK, we've got another guy here that we think is special, we're going to trade up 17 spots to steal him because we think he's going to take us over the top.'
"Alright if they have a guy they have that type of belief in, make moves wherever you gotta go to get up in the draft and get that guy, however it may be."
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Top prospects like Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State's Justin Fields likely will be the first two players off the board, and it will require a major trade package to vault up to secure either of them. 49ers general manager John Lynch admitted earlier this season that he has sent personnel staff to see BYU's Zach Wilson play in person.
"The kid from BYU would fit perfectly in Kyle Shanahan's system," Simms continued. "That would make sense."
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The 49ers' looming cap situation for 2021 also will play a factor in the team's decision-making, as there will be a number of important players with contracts expiring. Perhaps the 49ers will choose to address a more pressing need with their first-round pick instead of gambling on a quarterback.
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But Shanahan and Lynch clearly haven't been satisfied with the production at the most important position this season. If they feel a player like Wilson or North Dakota State's Trey Lance is the prospect who can get the 49ers over the hump, it would make sense to trade up to secure that player.
For now, teammates remain confident in Garoppolo as the franchise QB, and the 49ers have made no official moves in certifying that the organization will be moving on from the 29-year-old this offseason.