Tom Brady was a sixth round pick in 2000. Cam Newton was drafted first overall in 2011. Russell Wilson was selected in the third round of the 2012 draft.
Finding a franchise quarterback can be hard, since there is no discernible pattern to draw from.
The 2016 class won't make it any easier, as it's not known for its passers. But one area scout thinks Oregon's Vernon Adams is worth bringing into training camp.
"I wouldn't draft him, but I watched him at Eastern Washington and Oregon, and he's got something to him as a competitor," an NFC West Scout said, according to NFL.com.
"I would have no problem bringing him into camp and seeing what happens," he added.
[NFL DRAFT: Mayock: Kelly, 49ers need to take chance on Vernon Adams]
Largely due to his size (5-foot-11, 201 pounds) and limited starts at Oregon, Adams has not been mentioned among first-round prospects such as Carson Wentz of North Dakota State, Jared Goff of Cal or Paxton Lynch of Memphis.
Adams threw for 2,643 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions in 10 games this past season for the Ducks.
The former Duck quarterback has also gained steam since the end of the season, especially after connecting for three touchdowns on six completions in the 2016 Shrine Game. The performance earned him MVP honors.
Analyst Mike Mayock, who called the game, projected a landing spot for Adams, saying, "If you're Chip Kelly, you're taking a look at Vernon Adams and seeing what he can do."
The 49ers hired Chip Kelly on Jan. 14. Before a three-year NFL stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelly was at the University of Oregon from 2007-2012.
Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke are in the middle of evaluating the 49ers' roster and have yet to commit to a starting quarterback.
They will likely bring competition in to the position this offseason.
Baalke recently commented on the 49ers' quarterback position on 95.7 The Game, saying, "We've got two guys. Blaine (Gabbert) stepped in and did some awfully good things.
"Obviously Colin [Kaepernick] has done a lot of good things through his career here. And Chip's looking forward to getting together with both of them, and getting them on the field, and putting them into his system, and going to work."
