Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and 10 QBs Jim Harbaugh Should Target for the 49ers

The quarterback situation in San Francisco is horrible, plain and simple.

Alex Smith will never play another snap for the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh is looking to turn the team around. He'll do it with a new quarterback from outside of the franchise. With that in mind, we are putting the 10 best options for San Francisco this offseason.

We're trying to avoid lateral moves here, so the Matt Moores of the world are out. Any thoughts or comments? Make sure to leave them below.

No. 10: Cam Newton

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers runs down field against John Boyett #20 of the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

While he may not end up in San Francisco, you know Jim Harbaugh is going to look at Cam Newton.

I think every team will take a look at Newton leading up to the draft as the Heisman Trophy winner prepares to enter the NFL. Newton has a huge set of physical tools and those will be appealing to teams out there.

Maybe Harbaugh will think that he can mold Newton into his next protege.

No. 9: Chad Pennington

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Chad Pennington #10 of the Miami Dolphins is hit against the Tennessee Titans at Sun Life Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

This is a long shot, but if San Francisco comes up empty, Chad Pennington might not be a bad bridge to the next quarterback.

Pennington is coming off of another shoulder surgery, but the quarterback is hoping that he'll be able to come back next season and play. He's a capable quarterback but he's a huge liability because of his lengthy injury history.

It's an interesting option if San Francisco bottoms out.

No. 8: Jake Locker

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies scrambles against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Jake Locker has to be kicking himself right now.

Locker should have been the first overall selection last year, but he decided to come back to school and his draft stock took a massive hit. However, with Andrew Luck going back to Stanford, Locker's stock has gone up and could be an option for San Francisco.

Don't write Locker off because of this year. He still has a lot of skills that translate to the next level.

No. 7: Ryan Mallett

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

Ryan Mallett has a lot of physical tools, but there are concerns about him.

There is a lot of Ryan Leaf talk being thrown around him in the past couple of weeks and any time you hear someone compared to Ryan Leaf, that's a red flag. Mallett is rumored to have issues off of the field and it could hurt his stock.

However, he's got a great skill set and could be molded into a great quarterback under Jim Harbaugh.

No. 6: Vince Young

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Vince Young #11 of the Tennessee Titans talks with a member of the training staff after leaving a game against the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-

How do you solve a problem like Vince Young?

The Titans are cutting bait with Young. He has won as a starter, but a lot of that may have to do with the players around him more than Young's talents as a quarterback. He's improved as a quarterback and could help put a team over the top.

It will be interesting to see who takes a chance on him and maybe that team is the 49ers.

No. 5: Matt Hasselbeck

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on in the first half against the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons

Matt Hasselbeck's future in Seattle is in doubt and he could be a guy San Fran brings in until the right rookie comes along.

Hasselbeck proved in the playoffs that he's a guy that can get things done in the right situation and there's plenty of weapons on San Francisco that he can use to his advantage. Not only that, but he knows the division and could be a great asset.

He's a curious option if you're Jim Harbaugh.

No. 4: Kyle Orton

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the B

If this is really the start of the Tim Tebow Era in Denver, Kyle Orton is the odd man out.

People forget how good Orton was at the start of the season and in San Francisco, with guys like Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis to throw to, he could be very dangerous as he throws it downfield. Throw in Frank Gore and that's more weapons than he's ever had.

Orton could be dangerous in San Fran.

No. 3: Blaine Gabbert

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

Blaine Gabbert might be the best quarterback prospect in the NFL draft and could be an option for the 49ers.

If Jim Harbaugh wants to start fresh from the ground level, Gabbert could be the option for San Francisco going forward. Gabbert is a guy with a lot of potential and someone who could change the 49ers' fortunes at the quarterback position.

I guess we'll have to wait until the draft to see what San Fran does.

No. 2: Donovan McNabb

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Donovan McNabb has already gotten the seal of approval from Vernon Davis.

The tight end said that he would love to be catching passes from the former Eagles and Redskins quarterback, and McNabb will be available after the Redskins let him go. He's not as good as he used to be, but he can be effective.

The 49ers aren't that far away and McNabb can put them over the top.

No. 1: Kevin Kolb

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Kevin Kolb made it clear that he doesn't want to be a backup quarterback next year.

Kolb is a guy who has shown flashes of his ability in the past and could be a valuable commodity for a team out there. The Eagles will want a lot for him, but he may be worth it as he's a young quarterback with starter experience.

There should be a big market for his services and we could see Kolb in San Fran.