INDIANAPOLIS — First things first: John Lynch says pleasant things about everybody. So don’t treat the following commentary as gospel.
With that caveat out of the way, there was a thought-provoking moment Thursday when Lynch addressed reporters at the podium.
Without being prompted specifically about DeShone Kizer, Lynch revealed the 49ers sat down with Notre Dame quarterback Wednesday evening and San Francisco was blown away with the meeting.
“Last night we had an interview with DeShone Kizer,” Lynch said. “I think this whole thing is not about an interview, but if you were grading him on that alone, he blew the doors off it. He’s an impressive young man. His film is very impressive.”
I was curious about this interview specifically. NFL general managers rarely give you any indication about how conversations go behind closed doors. Unfortunately, my follow up with Lynch was kiboshed.
“I think those are sacred times in there,” Lynch said. “I can tell you he was extremely impressive.”
Well, at least I tried. And, hey, maybe it’s just a smokescreen from a a first-time GM. Lynch says even though he’s working from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., this still doesn’t feel like a job. He’s enjoying this role.
Smokescreens aside, an AFC scout told KNBR.com the scouting community is expecting Kizer to wow in shorts during his workouts this weekend. That, coupled with his impressive interviewing skills, could launch his stock closer to the top 10 than the second round. I’ve been weary of his 58.7 completion percentage, but Kizer certainly has big play ability.
What Lynch will have to weigh is whether he wants to play the risky game of trading down in the draft. College prognosticators, such as Mike Mayock and Todd McShay, have said no quarterback is worth the No. 2 overall pick. But there are other teams who still don’t have a long term answer at quarterback — the Jets (No. 6), the Browns (No. 1 and No. 12), the Cardinals (No. 13) and Houston (No. 25). Should the 49ers trade down to acquire someone like Kizer, they’d have to worry about one these other teams leapfrogging them. If Lynch and Kyle Shanahan do fall in love with a quarterback, it’s going to be a game of risk trying to get him later in the draft.
The day he was hired, Shanahan said he would never reach for a player in the draft. But without a franchise quarterback in place, and an ESPN report that the Redskins may cave to Kirk Cousins’ contract demands, this really could be a time where reaching for a quarterback in the draft makes the most sense. The deck of cards will become even more shuffled should Cleveland take a quarterback No. 1 overall. Browns head coach Hue Jackson said today he doesn’t think his favorite quarterback will be on the board when they pick for a second time at No. 12.
Using that same logic for the 49ers, they really have to consider taking a quarterback at No. 2. If you love the guy, get down on one knee and propose to him. Quarterback is too dangerous of a position to mess around with. If they’re not 100 percent committed to Kizer (or one of the other prospects) than obviously look to address the need later on.
Here’s what Lynch had to say about the other top quarterbacks.
On Deshaun Watson: “What he’s done, putting a team on his shoulders, taking down a great champion — Trubisky, Mahomes. I think it’s a very talented draft class at that position. We’re very excited about those guys. I don’t think we have to be too transparent to realize that’s a position we’re looking at. We don’t have any.”
Related Column: Can the 49ers say no to Watson at No. 2?
On Patrick Mahomes: “He’s a guy that the film is pretty special. He’s a fun guy to watch. We’re excited to watch more and learn more about him.”
Related Column: Mahomes has the arm talent Shanahan says he’s looking for
On Mitch Trubisky: “I got a note from somebody today over there, he measured over 6-foot-2. So he made himself some money today, I promise you. You can see, just like the other guys I talked about, why people like him. He grows on you. The more you watch him the more you like him.”
Related Column: Lynch could be enticed by Trubisky’s football IQ
Lynch later went on to say it’s “somewhat liberating” having no quarterback on the roster. The entire scouting department and coaching staff have gone over the different scenarios how this could all play out, and Lynch continues to say the 49ers have a lot of options at their disposal.
“We have the No. 2 pick in the draft,” Lynch said. “That’s not something people are usually happy about because it means you just went through a miserable season. Fortunately, I wasn’t part of that. I’m part of it now and the great thing is I have a No. 2 pick — we have a No. 2 pick, and a ton of options because of that at our disposal.”