"Even after throwing for more than 10,000 yards and running for 4,000 more, Colin Kaepernick needed a simple game of catch to help cement his status as the 49ers' potential quarterback of the future. The 49ers nabbed the prolific Nevada passer in the second round Friday -- after trading up to do so -- but the decision owed its roots to a predraft workout in March. That's when 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL passer, challenged Kaepernick to an impromptu best-spiral competition on a practice field in Reno. They threw the ball back and forth, with a point awarded to the passer who tossed the prettier pass -- a football beauty contest. After Harbaugh eked out a win in the first round, Kaepernick roared back to triumph 5-1 in the second. In short, it was a glimpse at everything the 49ers want out of their next passer: a good arm, an ability to adjust on the fly and an unquenchable competitive fire. "It's being able to figure things out and think your way to success," Harbaugh said. "Anything that you're doing, that's important -- especially playing quarterback." The 49ers considered moving up to get the mobile 6-foot-4, 230-pound passer late in the first round Thursday. Instead, they made their move early Friday. They swapped picks with Denver, sending their second-round pick (No. 45), a fourth-round pick (No. 108) and a fifth-round pick (No. 141) to the Broncos in order to grab Kaepernick at No. 36." Read more: http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_17960037?nclick_check=1
