We thought John Lynch and the San Francisco 49ers were done for the day. The general manager had already met with the media to recap Day 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft.
The 49ers made their fourth trade of the draft and snuck back into the third round. San Francisco sent the Minnesota Vikings pick Nos. 109 (fourth round) and 219 (seventh round) for pick No. 104. The 49ers used the selection on Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard.
Beathard had an outstanding season in 2015 with 2,809 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. His production dipped a bit in 2016 with 1,929 passing yards and 17 touchdowns.
"Played in pro-style passing attack, working under center and from shotgun," reads his profile on NFL.com. "Capable and confident rolling out. Squares shoulders to deliver strikes. Completed 57 percent of his passes outside of the pocket at Iowa.
"Has the arm strength to throw the deep out without laboring. Trusts his line and keeps eyes downfield. Plays with relatively calm demeanor. Good feel and timing for screen game."
Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Beathard is a guy who they grew to like during the pre-draft process. He joins veteran signal callers Pierre Garçon and Matt Barkley as the third quarterback on San Francisco's roster. Shanahan made it clear, however, that this is not a move designed to challenge Brian Hoyer's starting job.
"We are bringing (Beathard) in here to develop him," Shanahan said, who added that he believes the Iowa product has the tools to one day be an NFL starter.
Mike Mayock said on NFL Network that the former Hawkeye impressed at his pro day leading up to the draft. He joins veteran signal callers Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley as the third quarterback on San Francisco's roster.
"I'm confident in my abilities, and I'm just thankful the 49ers and coach Shanahan's staff saw the potential in me and they believe in me enough to give me this opportunity," Beathard said on a conference call. "And like I told them, they won't regret it."
