49ers Could Use 2010 Draft to Find Next Franchise QB

In 2005, the 49ers were stuck with the No. 1 pick in the April draft and no one worthy of the selection. Then-head coach Mike Nolan hitched his wagon to Alex Smith, and three-plus seasons and 18 wins later, Nolan was out of work and Smith's NFL future was in doubt.

Mike Singletary is now running the show. After a strong finish to the 2008 season (5-2 after Week 10), the club could again be in the quarterback business if either Smith or Shaun Hill don't work out in 2009.

The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat's Matt Maiocco writes that the 49ers, who sent a '09 second-rounder to Carolina for the Panthers' 2010 first-round pick, could be perfectly positioned to get their choice of quarterbacks in a QB-heavy 2010 draft, should they decide to do so.

The organization felt the trade was the best way of getting into an ideal position for next year, just in case they become in the market for a quarterback again. This season will give the 49ers a firm idea of where they stand at quarterback. Coach Mike Singletary says he's happy to have Shaun Hill and Alex Smith competing for the starting job. That competition should be decided after the second exhibition game - if not sooner. But the 49ers were prepared to pay Kurt Warner in the neighborhood of $15 million a year to leave the Cardinals, so that tells you that the organization has its doubts about Hill and Smith.

Maiocco also points out that the Panthers' schedule is brutal -- road games against the Falcons, Cowboys, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Saints, Patriots and Giants -- and back-to-back 12-win seasons ain't happening. In fact, it's conceivable that the 49ers end up with a top-15 pick.

And unlike this April, when Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez were the only bona fide first-round QBs heading into the draft (the Bucs would end up taking Josh Freeman 17th overall, but he surged late), next year's class should be loaded:

Among those who could be first-round picks in 2010 are seniors Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow, and underclassmen Sam Bradford, Jevan Snead and Jimmy Clausen.

(Thankfully, Maiocco isn't drunk on the Tim Tebow Kool-Aid, which is a refreshing take.)

Now all that's left to do is play the 2009 season. Hill has shown promise in fits and starts, but hasn't been consistent enough for Singletary to name him the starter. Unless that changes, there's a great chance we'll revisit this subject a few more time between now and next April.