49ers get their QB, Kaepernick, in 2nd

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

The pressure was on the San Francisco 49ers to find a quarterback this offseason to fill the team’s greatest need.

They landed one Friday night.

Another might soon be on the way.

In the first major move of the Jim Harbaugh Era, the 49ers traded up in the second round to take Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick with the 36th overall pick in the NFL draft. They gave Denver their second-round (45th overall), fourth-round (108th) and fifth-round (141st) picks to move up.

General manager Trent Baalke and Harbaugh have spent most of the offseason doing their homework on quarterbacks. While there’s a growing sentiment that Alex Smith will re-sign with San Francisco, there’s nothing from his past play that suggests he could be the franchise’s long-term solution.

Kaepernick was watching the draft unfold with family in Turlock, Calif., and will easily be a more popular pick because of his Northern California ties and strong throwing arm. Kaepernick was so excited he immediately started making the two-hour drive and was formally introduced alongside Harbaugh later Friday night.

“That just makes it that much easier for my family, friends to come and see me,” said Kaepernick, who was the sixth quarterback taken.