John Lynch thinks it’s ‘liberating’ that the 49ers have no quarterbacks

INDIANAPOLIS — The San Francisco 49ers will have zero quarterbacks on the roster next week, and for new general manager John Lynch, that’s just fine.

“We’ve got some great options at our disposal,” Lynch said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday. “A lot of people look at it like ‘oh my gosh, you don’t have any quarterbacks’ but that also is somewhat liberating in that you can create this thing in that position that is so critical in the way that you want it.”

It’s become evident in two days at the combine that in some order, the top quarterbacks this year are DeShone Kizer of Notre Dame, Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech, Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina, and Deshaun Watson of Clemson. Lynch, whose team has the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, was quick to praise each.

The most glowing review came about Kizer, whom the 49ers interviewed on Wednesday night.

“This whole thing’s not about an interview, but if you grade him off that, he blew the doors off it,” Lynch said. “He’s an impressive young man; his film is very impressive.

“I think the same can be said for Deshaun Watson. What he’s done just putting a team on his shoulders and taking down a great champion. Trubisky, Mahomes, I think it’s a very talented draft class at that position. One we’re very excited about. I don’t think you need to be too transparent to realize that’s a position we’re looking at. We don’t have any. That’s a position that’s a big focal point of our preparation right now, and this week is a big part of that.”

Normally you might chalk Lynch’s openness to laying an offseason smokescreen, but considering San Francisco’s lack of quarterbacks, it’s hard to discount his words.

After interacting with him at the Super Bowl before being hired by the 49ers, Lynch was impressed by Watson’s aura, saying he has a certain confidence about himself.

“I love winners, and he has that,” Lynch said. “There’s certain guys who just carry themselves differently, have a presence about them. I’d put him in that category.”

If he categorized Mahomes, he’d be listed under having special film.

“He’s a guy that the film is pretty special,” Lynch said. “He’s a fun guy to watch. We’re excited to watch more and learn more about him.”

Don’t forget about Trubisky, the one-year starter at North Carolina who helped himself by standing tall in Indianapolis.

“I got a note today that he measured over 6’2, so he made some money today, I promise ya,” Lynch said. “You can see, just like the other guys I talked about, why people like him. He grows on ya. The more you watch him, the more you like him.”