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Niners strongly considering a quarterback with draft's No. 2 pick

PHILADELPHIA -- With four days to go before they are officially on the clock for the 2017 NFL Draft, the 49ers are still internally debating their No. 2 pick.

While most believe the first pick will be potentially transformative pass-rusher Myles Garrett from Texas A&M, San Francisco can go a number of different ways.

According to several sources with knowledge of the team's thinking, the 49ers are still strongly considering taking a quarterback second overall. That would be somewhat of a surprise, considering they signed presumptive starter Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley in the offseason -- and they have Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins potentially as an option for 2018. Taking a quarterback high would likely end any chance at Cousins.

But the team does not yet have a long-term answer at quarterback, and those who know coach Kyle Shanahan well insist North Carolina QB Mitchell Trubisky would best fit what he does on offense. Trubisky is considered by some to be the top QB in the class, though evaluations at this position differ more greatly than any other spot in this draft.

San Francisco has done extensive homework on each of the top passers. If the 49ers are on the clock and poised to take Trubisky -- over players like LSU's Leonard Fournette or Stanford's Solomon Thomas -- it could create an interesting dilemma.

Several teams are plotting potentially trading up with the Niners or others for a quarterback, gauging the price and weighing options. The Browns are one of those teams, as are others who could draft a QB high.

At this point, Cody Kessler, who the Browns like, would be the starter.

The Browns front office believes Trubisky is the top draftable QB, sources say, but could they dissuade the 49ers from taking him by trading draft capital to get up from No. 12 to No. 2? Could they end up with picks 1 and 2, using the stockpiled selections to make a bold move?

Or does Cleveland choose patience, hoping their quarterback of choice is there for them if they sit tight or trade up just a few picks? At this point, that has not been decided.

Follow Ian Rapoport on Twitter @RapSheet.

Watch the NFL Draft LIVE on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network

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