Quarterbacks
Jimmy Garappolo - This will be Jimmy's second full season, as out starting QB. Prior to tearing his ACL last season, his performance was a mixed bag. He looked like an elite QB at times and sometimes looked like a reckless gunslinger. Jimmy as all the tool needed to be a top 10 QB, if you could knock him on one thing, his arm is probably average at best, but it doesn't matter Kyle Shanahan's offense don't require a rocket arm as much as it demands accuracy and quick thinking. I think an extra year and a more healthier offensive line should help him truly break out as a star QB on top of that he'll have no shortage of weapons on offense. If he plays up to his potential, we could make the playoffs, maybe even win the division.
Skills: B
Performance: B-
Potential: B+
Overall Grade: B
Nick Mullens - One of the big surprise stories of the NFL. After being brought to the team as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Last season he took over after Jimmy and CJ were out with injuries. He lit up the Raiders for 262 yeards and 3 TDs. Quite impressive. Even in losing efforts he has played valiantly finishing the season with 13 TDs 10 INTs and about 2300 yards. Not too shabby. Mullens does not have great arm strength and his athleticism is just so-so but he is also proof that even in the modern NFL, the scouts are still size queens. Mullens has great pocket presence, solid accuracy and the ability to make reads post snap. Had Mullens been 2 Inches taller (He's 6') and all things being equal, he would have easily been a second round pick. But no matter Mullens has proven himself to be a capable backup and should be for years moving foreward
Skills - C+
Performance - B-
Potential - C
Overall Grade C+
C.J. Beathard - They say the #2 QB is a competition, but it really isn't Nick Mullens is the better QB. Beathard is tough as nails but his awkward release and tendency to hold on to the ball too long is a cardinal sin especially in offense that requires quick decision making. He 8 TDs and 7 INTS as a starter last year, which is average at best. He hasn't really improved from his rookie year. If Beathard starts games this season, it means we are in serious trouble and are trying to tank the season. We'll likely let him play out his rookie contract and then let him walk where he can back up on a more traditional slow paced offense, where his game is a better fit.
Skills: C-
Performance: C-
Potential: D
Overall Grade: D+
Wilton Speight - Interesting. Another QB in the UDFA pile. A lot like Nick Mullens in the sense that he was an underrated prospect, in my opinion he could have probably been drafted in the 5th/6th rounds as developmental QB. Watching him in Michigan and some UCLA, he has a great arm, and good touch on medium passes, but he tends to fold and make bad throws under pressure.
This is because his footwork is awkward and he tends to throw off his back foot too often. This guy is a project and will most likely be a year or two away before he has the chance to make an NFL roster.
Skills: D
Performance: F
Potential: D+
Overall Grade : D-
Position Overview:
Jimmy is our starting QB and his health is going to be the thing that put us in the playoffs or another punting of this season. I think if he stays healthy he's a very solid QB even if he is something of a gunslinger. If he does get hurt Mullens is a more than capable backup and we still have a shot. Beathard has proven himself a severe reach at round 3 in the 2017 draft but can be a spot starter, though it would be best if he didn't, even Wilton Speight can be a solid developmental piece in a couple of years.
Overall Grade: B-
