Kyle Shanahan, Mike Holmgren

Kyle Shanahan liked Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo in the 2014 draft when he was with the Browns.

(Mary Kay Cabot/cleveland.com)

HOUSTON -- Kyle Shanahan admitted at the Super Bowl Thursday that he really liked Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo coming out in 2014 when he was offensive coordinator of the Browns, and a source said he had him ranked right behind Derek Carr on his QB list.

But the Browns traded up in the first round and took Johnny Manziel No. 22 instead -- despite the fact Shanahan, now the Falcons' offensive coordinator, was not in favor of drafting him or Teddy Bridgewater.

"They had me look at every quarterback and evaluate every quarterback,'' he said at the Super Bowl Thursday. "That's everywhere. They ask you to evaluate everyone and you give grades and you tell people who you want and you wait to see what happens."

Is the report true that he really liked Garoppolo, who's about to become the hottest QB commodity of the off-season?

"Yes, I did,'' he said.

Disregarding Shanahan's opinion on such vital matters was one of the reasons he asked to be let out of his Browns contract after that season. He wasn't on the same page with general manager Ray Farmer, who takes responsibility for drafting Manziel. Farmer violated league rules and texted assistants during games to complain about Shanahan's playcalling and use of personnel.

Did they just not hear him on the QB decision that year?

"I think people heard me, but the results weren't there,'' he said. "I think there were a lot of people who liked Garoppolo. There were other quarterbacks we liked, too. We put a board together. We rank every one. Then, the people who make the decisions, you have to wait and see what happens. As a coach, it's like that at a lot of places. You have to deal with what happens."

Now, Shanahan is set to take over as head coach of the 49ers, and the Browns might be in competition with him for Garoppolo. The Browns, who have the No. 1, No. 12 and No. 33 overall picks, have the most ammunition to try to trade for Garoppolo, but the 49ers have the No. 2 overall pick and really need a quarterback.

What did Shanahan like about Garoppolo?

"He was a very good thrower,'' said Shanahan. "Tough guy, kept his eyes down the field, could get rid of the ball fast. Really liked the person. Had a chance to go out to dinner with him and stuff. He played at Eastern Illinois, and it was a different type of offense where you can't always evaluate with how quick they get rid of the ball. But I really thought he was a very intelligent, tough player with a good throwing motion."

Shanahan said Garoppolo, who went 2-0 in his two starts this year before spraining his shoulder, appears ready for full-time duty.

"It's been a great deal for him I'm sure in the situation he is, being behind Tom [Brady], seeing how they do it,'' he said. "I'm sure when he does get his opportunity whether it's earlier this year in the two games he played or possibly next year, who knows what will happen -- I'm sure he'll be ready.''

Shanahan acknowledged that quarterback will be Job No. 1 when he takes over the 49ers, which is a foregone conclusion.

"Everybody wants a quarterback,'' he said. "You've just got to hope that there is one and you always take the guy who gives you the best chance to win, and usually that's a quarterback but it could be a D-lineman. Everybody wants to have a great quarterback right away, but if it were easy to have one, everyone would have one.''

Shanahan also has a close relationship with Kirk Cousins, whom he coached in Washington. Cousins is set to become a free agent, but the Redskins say he'll be back. If they can't reach a deal, however, there's a chance he could be traded. If that's the case, Shanahan's ears could perk up.

"Kirk is a natural thrower who's fearless and lets it rip,'' said Shanahan. "(As for) guys who can process and go fast in the pocket, Kirk's as good as anybody.''

Regarding Manziel, Shanahan liked him as a person, and believed he could develop as an NFL quarterback.

"I'm not sure (if he'll make it back into the league),'' Shanahan said. "I haven't talked to Johnny for a while. I reached out to him a little bit last year when he was going through his stuff, just through texts and everything. But I really like Johnny as a guy. Even my time with him, he obviously had some issues outside of that building, but when I was with Johnny, he was great. He did what I asked, he worked.

"Whenever he didn't do a good job he was accountable, he would never point the finger of blame at other people. He would say, 'Coach I've got to get better.' He always said the right thing. I know he's had stuff he's been through obviously over the last couple years, but I really enjoyed my time with him and I really hope that he can get it together.''

If the Browns had listened to Shanahan in the first place, they wouldn't be in their current quarterback quandary.