NFL mock draft 2021: 49ers snag Mac Jones; Broncos trade up for QB
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 3rd overall
Pick Analysis. Scouting Report. QB. Alabama. Mac Jones. 3. player. 42
The 2021 NFL Draft really begins with the third overall pick and the San Francisco 49ers. After sending a haul to the Miami Dolphins to move up to No. 3, the 49ers are clearly going to take a quarterback with this pick. However, it is tough to predict which quarterback they will take.
Most in the draft community agree that the decision should be between Justin Fields and Trey Lance, but Mac Jones is clearly in the discussion as well. Nobody is more plugged-in throughout the league than ESPN’s Adam Schefter and he clearly thinks that Mac Jones will be the pick for the 49ers at No. 3. Who am I to doubt Schefter? While I would still be surprised to see this happen, all signs are pointing towards Jones being the pick for the 49ers at No. 3.
Jones was great for Alabama this past season, completing 77.4% of his passes for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions. He led the Crimson Tide to an impressive undefeated National Championship season and was undoubtedly an important part of their success. That being said, it is difficult to give Jones too much credit for what Alabama was able to do on the field.
Let’s be honest, this Alabama team was absolutely loaded on both sides of the ball and while Mac Jones was good, they made him look better than he actually is. Jones is a good decision maker and an accurate passer to all levels of the field, but his limited arm talent and athleticism have to be a concern at the next level.
The 49ers would undoubtedly be able to put him in a good situation to succeed and I am not betting against any Kyle Shanahan quarterback, but that does not mean that trading three first-round picks to move up for Mac Jones is a good move. The kind of move that the 49ers made up the board has to raise the ceiling of the franchise. Jones is a good player but he simply does not make this team significantly better.
Taking Jones when Justin Fields and Trey Lance are on the board would be a mistake, but that appears to be the direction that they are heading.