There’s little argument the 49ers (1-11) need of a franchise quarterback to build around in 2017.

Colin Kaepernick, the player once pegged for that role, could be gone in the spring by opting out of his contract – or released by San Francisco if he opts in. Regardless, it doesn’t appear Kaepernick will be getting his $14.5-million base salary from San Francisco when the new league year starts.

Neither Kaepernick nor Blaine Gabbert have shown that they can be the quarterback the 49ers need. The two combined to completed just 55 percent of their throws in the NFL’s 30th-ranked passing offense. Related: they’re 1-11 and mired in the longest losing streak in franchise history.

Unfortunately for San Francisco, ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay painted a grim picture this week of the upcoming quarterback class in the NFL draft. San Francisco is currently slotted to pick second overall.

Kiper when asked about quarterbacks in the conversation for the first night of the draft:

There’s really only one guy right now, and he might not even enter the draft. That’s North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky, a fourth-year junior who is in his first season as the starter. Trubisky has thrown 28 touchdown passes to only four interceptions, but he’s still green — with another year of seasoning, he could be the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft. He’s not ready to play right away in the NFL. I don’t see any other first-rounders in the group. Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, a third-year sophomore, has to go back to school. Clemson’s Deshaun Watson has taken a step back this season. Underclassmen Luke Falk and Patrick Mahomes could use another year in school, and they don’t project as first-rounders. I wouldn’t say it’s likely, but there’s a chance no quarterback goes in the first round. The last time that happened was 1996.

The idea that none of the draft-eligible quarterbacks are worth first-round consideration has slowly built up steam throughout the season.

Early in the year, Kizer was seen as the top quarterback and worthy of the first-overall selection. But Kizer struggled while Notre Dame limped to a 4-8 finish. Both he and Watson found ways to create question marks about their abilities to lead NFL offenses.

Despite the positivity surrounding Trubisky, McShay offered similar sentiments about the current crop of quarterbacks.

It’s not a great year to be drafting early and needing a quarterback. There’s some depth (depending on how many underclassmen declare), but I don’t see any elite prospects among those I’ve reviewed so far. My top five quarterbacks are all underclassmen — and I hope most of them return to school (Watson, my No. 2 QB, has already declared). Mel is right, Kizer needs another year. Trubisky has only 12 starts. Miami’s Brad Kaaya can continue to get bigger/stronger. Falk comes with too many questions ranging from system to frame.

If Kaepernick sticks around next season or the 49ers find a suitable stop-gap through free agency, the team may feel it can forgo the quarterback position early in this year’s draft. If so, there will be intriguing prospects available.

Exhibit A is Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett – the consensus best prospect available, who has Kiper gushing.

There’s no question it’s Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett, who is No. 1 on my Big Board. He has everything teams want in a premier edge rusher. At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, he’s going to be a star. Others to keep an eye on: Alabama’s Tim Williams and UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley. All could go in the top 10.

There a chance the 49ers still miss on Garrett. The Browns haven’t won a game yet and are in line for the first pick. If Garrett is off the board to Cleveland, the 49ers may look to fortify the skill positions on offense needing elite talent – or add pieces to their last-ranked defense.

A 31st-ranked passing attack is undoubtedly a byproduct of poor quarterback play, but the ineffective wide receiving corps shares some of the blame. McShay went into detail about the early-round pass-catching talent the 49ers could pursue.