2021 NFL mock draft: 49ers and Patriots trade up for quarterbacks
By John Blair
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 3rd overall
QB. Pick Analysis. Ohio State. Justin Fields. 3. player. 42. Scouting Report
The first trade in this NFL mock draft happens when the San Francisco 49ers decide to trade up and take one of the top quarterbacks available in the draft. This move makes sense for the 49ers as Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t look like the quarterback of the future for the team. In terms of making sense for the Miami Dolphins, the team would be wise to trade down as no wide receiver is worth the third pick in the draft and it is way too soon to give up on Tua Tagovailoa.
In Justin Fields, the 49ers get a player who would fit Kyle Shanahan’s system, which is very similar to what the New York Jets who picked just ahead of the 49ers will be running. Fields is a very mobile quarterback who shows nice accuracy when rolling out of the pocket. He has also been a multi-year starter in a Power-Five conference which is not the case with Trey Lance who would be the other quarterback option with this pick.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 4th overall
QB. North Dakota State. 4. 44. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Trey Lance. player
The fourth quarterback to come off the board with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With this selection we see the Atlanta Falcons take Trey Lance. This is a need for the Falcons as Matt Ryan will be 36 next year, and there is no potential replacement for him on the roster.
Trey Lance would make sense here as he has a much higher upside than Mac Jones and because he would get at least one year to sit behind Matt Ryan. As a prospect, Lance has an exciting blend of arm strength, mobility and leadership skills. If given time and not rushed into action he could turn out to be an All-Pro quarterback.