2021 NFL Mock Draft: Final prediction has Patriots trade for Justin Fields

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass during the first quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Mac Jones, 2021 NFL mock draft. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Final 2021 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers come on the clock at No. 3

3. San Francisco 49ers (via MIA from HOU): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

When the San Francisco 49ers traded up from No. 12 to No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft, everyone assumed it was for either Justin Fields or Trey Lance. However, the narrative quickly turned as reports became surfacing that Mac Jones was actually the guy who the Niners moved up to take as head coach Kyle Shanahan loves.

Since that time, everyone has been looking for a reason to believe that this is a smokescreen from San Francisco. Whether it was attending the pro days of Lance and Fields or any inkling that it could be someone other than Jones, fans jumped at it.

Then came Shanahan’s pre-draft press conference, an event that turned shockingly nihilistic as the head coach talked about not knowing if anyone was going to be alive come Sunday after the draft. More importantly, though, he gave the impression of someone already putting in damage control for a controversial draft pick he’s about to make; that’s Mac Jones.

To be clear, I’m higher on Mac Jones than a lot of people. I understand the athleticism and upside aren’t there as they are with Fields and Lance but I like what he brings to the table, especially in Shanahan’s offense. Even with all that, though, it’s still hard to believe they traded all they did to not take Fields or Lance.

Who I Would Pick: Justin Fields

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