49ers training camp newcomers: Quarterback
From high-profile additions to NFL journeymen, The Bee provides a primer to the new players jockeying for position in training camp. Get to know the new faces at two position groups each day for both the 49ers and Raiders. Rosters are cut to 75 players Sept. 1 and 53 players Sept. 5. Read Matt Barrows’ in-depth position preview here.
It’s not unusual for an NFL team to have just three quarterbacks on the roster as training camp begins – the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers are among others – so the battle for Colin Kaepernick’s backup will be focused.
Rookie Dylan Thompson already had a connection to the 49ers before they signed the undrafted free agent. He played for Steve Spurrier, who was a quarterback for nine seasons with the 49ers.
Key returners: Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert
Key departure: Josh Johnson
The newcomer
Dylan Thompson | 6-foot-3 | 218 pounds
Experience: Rookie (South Carolina)
Last year: Completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 3,574 yards for 26 touchdowns and a 140.6 passer rating.
The skinny: He’s definitely not a quarterback in the mold of a Colin Kaepernick with minus-72 rushing yards on 67 attempts. But he did play four seasons for Steve Spurrier, so it’s a definite check in the plus column for the rookie.
This story was originally published August 1, 2015 at 10:00 PM with the headline "49ers training camp newcomers: Quarterback."