2021 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys fix defense, Justin Fields slides to Broncos

3. San Francisco 49ers (via Houston Texans through Miami Dolphins): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Originally, this pick was owned by the Miami Dolphins as part of the Laremy Tunsil trade package. If they hadn’t already proven to have won this trade before, the Dolphins decided to make it even more apparent by adding a couple of first-round picks in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers. They used one of the picks added to get back to No. 6 but still added plenty of draft capital in order to move back three spots.

As for the 49ers, they gave up a huge amount of assets to jump from No. 12 to No. 3 in order to get their guy. And that guy, according to most reports, is none other than Mac Jones from Alabama. Now Jones did have a lot of success with the Crimson Tide and it seems as though he could be a decent NFL quarterback.

Having said that, it’s hard to say he’s better than Justin Fields or Trey Lance — but the Niners seem set. There is a school of thought that Kyle Shanahan likes the way Jones fits into his system better than the other two, but that still feels odd. Yes, he has had success with quarterbacks who have quick triggers and don’t have the deepest toolbox, but wouldn’t it be better if they did?

Perhaps there’s some smokescreen here, but if not, this could be a very interesting pick that will lead to scrutiny for years to come.