49ers GM Lynch discusses ‘huge emphasis’ on QBs

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Former 49ers general manager Trent Baalke, who didn’t use a top-200 pick on a quarterback in his final five drafts, didn’t seem to have a full appreciation for the most important position in the NFL.

It doesn’t sound as if his replacement will have that problem.

John Lynch, an ex-safety who began his career at Stanford as a quarterback, said he recognized during his decorated, 15-year NFL career how an elite signal-caller can dominate games.

“In my mind,” Lynch said Tuesday on KNBR, “I think I knew, but I couldn’t really admit to myself because it would almost be surrender: That when you go against a great one, you’re helpless.”

Lynch went on to cite a stat that illustrates the point: Fourteen of the past 16 AFC champions have counted Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisberger as their quarterback.

“That just speaks to how important that position is,” he said.

John Lynch (left), with then-Chargers quarterback Drew Brees in 2004, said elite QBs could make him feel helpless during his career. John Lynch (left), with then-Chargers quarterback Drew Brees in 2004, said elite QBs could make him feel helpless during his career. Photo: DENIS POROY, AP Photo: DENIS POROY, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 49ers GM Lynch discusses ‘huge emphasis’ on QBs 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

This brings us to Lynch’s current quandary with the 49ers, who won’t have a quarterback under contract when free agency begins if Colin Kaepernick opts out of his deal.

The situation is partly a result of Baalke’s inattention to the position. The fact is, even if Lynch didn’t value quarterbacks highly, he’d be forced to grab several this offseason given the 49ers’ depth chart.

On Tuesday, Lynch spent part of his day discussing draft prospects, including quarterbacks, with his staff. On Wednesday, he’ll have his first chance to sit down in Santa Clara with head coach Kyle Shanahan, who will be spending his first day in the Bay Area.

“We’ve already discussed it, but we’re going to get together and find out exactly what he’s looking for in a quarterback,” Lynch said. “And then we’re going to evaluate the guys we have, we’re going to evaluate the draft, and we’re going to look hard at free agency, trades, whatever we need to do to get a guy.

“And it may not be this year. It may be that we draft and develop. We’re looking at every scenario. We both are big believers - I don’t think this is anything revolutionary, everyone knows how important that position is -- but we certainly place a huge emphasis on it and we’re going to work hard to get that right.”

Twitter: @Eric_Branch