INDIANAPOLIS -- The Vernon Adams-Chip Kelly fit is a seed that was planted by NFL Media draft expert Mike Mayock weeks ago, when Adams, the former Oregon QB, put on a show last month at the East-West Shrine Game.
So, it wasn't a surprise when Adams fielded questions about his familiarity with Kelly's offense on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
And if Kelly, in his first year as the San Francisco 49ers' coach, wants to bring in a rookie quarterback who already has familiarity with his system, Adams says he's the man for the job.
"I watched (Kelly's offense) in Philly last year and pretty much 80-90 percent of the plays I would see I could call out that we run at Oregon, so I think I could really come in and run that offense, too."
There's no denying that the fit is an intriguing one. Kelly, the former Oregon coach, could unite with a former Ducks QB who feels comfortable doing the things a Kelly offense requires, and Kelly won't have to use an early pick to get him. Adams, who transferred from FCS program Eastern Washington to Oregon for his final collegiate season, isn't among the most highly rated QBs available this year. He's undersized, measuring in at 5-foot-10 7/8 on Wednesday, but he has his backers, including College Football 24/7 draft analyst Chad Reuter.
Adams has been compared to Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, who fell in the draft because he lacks ideal size. Adams, wisely, fully embraces that comp, calling it a "blessing" on Wednesday.
Could uniting with Kelly be a similarly favorable development for Adams?
49ers GM Trent Baalke said Wednesday that he "absolutely" expects Colin Kaepernick to be on San Francisco's roster next season and it doesn't seem like the team is ready to turn the page at QB.
That doesn't mean the door is shut on adding a young QB to the mix, though.
"I'm such a football junkie. I just love football so much," Adams said. "I understand the game. I understand coverages. I understand defensive schemes, all that. I just love to learn football."
Sounds like the type of player Kelly might like to mold.
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