2021 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers land Mac Jones, Kyle Pitts falls to Giants
By Randy Gurzi
Alabama. 42. Scouting Report. 3. player. Pick Analysis. QB. Mac Jones
(Pick via Houston Texans through Miami Dolphins): This is the head-scratcher. Will Mac Jones be a good NFL quarterback? Maybe. Will he be the third-best in this class? That doesn’t seem so obvious.
For months, it felt as though Jones was fifth on the list behind Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance. Then, the San Francisco 49ers made the trade with the Miami Dolphins to move up to No. 3 and reports have since surfaced that Jones is the guy they want.
It seems like a weird move to jump up this high for a player who isn’t the sure-fire third player (let alone quarterback) on the board. However, if we strip away what they’re giving up for him the player and the team are a solid fit.
Current 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has had success with players such as Matt Ryan and Kirk Cousins who excel when it comes to getting the ball out quickly. They might not have the most impressive set of physical tools but they process quickly and out the ball where it needs to be — and the same could be said of Jones.
Having said all that, it seems it would be easier for them to get a quarterback who does have more tools to work with but if the Niners are successful with Jones, none of us will end up questioning the move. If they’re not, look for this pick to get the Mitch Trubisky treatment.