Marcio Jose Sanchez-AP
Longtime draft analyst Matt Miller is convinced that the San Francisco 49ers traded up to the No. 3 overall pick for Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, and he doesn’t sound too happy about it. He grew up as a Niners fan, and the idea that his favorite NFL team might select Jones over a prospect like Justin Fields of Ohio State disturbs him on two fronts—as a fan and an analyst.
“As a lifelong Niners fan, that’s such a punch to the stomach,” Miller said on the Dan Patrick Show. “I’m trying to trust (general manager) John Lynch and (head coach) Kyle Shanahan, but I remember when they said they didn’t need a quarterback and they passed on Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson only to pick up C.J. Beathard in the third round.
“I’m still a little gun-shy about trusting this front office. This just feels like something they would do. They would overthink it again, just like trading back to get Solomon Thomas or drafting Reuben Foster in the first round. It feels like this front office is a little too cute sometimes.”
The other question surrounding the trade—assuming Jones is the target—involves the leap all the way up to No. 3. Was that necessary?
“They didn’t have to go to three, Dan,” Miller explained. “I don’t think they did. Now, maybe to seven. Maybe to six, which we saw that pick get traded already. But I don’t think you needed to go from 12 to three to get Mac Jones.
“I don’t think the Atlanta Falcons [were going to select him]. … I feel like the Falcons would be all-in on Justin Fields, who’s a local kid, Trey Lance, who has great athleticism, throws a beautiful deep ball—if they even go quarterback.
“The Bengals aren’t drafting a quarterback at five. The Eagles aren’t going to at six. The Niners had other options. My hope and prayer, as someone who’s still a little bit of a 49ers fan, is that [this] is a move for Justin Fields. And I would say that even as an unbiased evaluator.”
Shanahan and Lynch were both in attendance for Jones’ pro day in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday. The 49ers’ assistant general manager, Adam Peters, was in attendance for Fields’ workout in Columbus, which took place on the same day. Shanahan and Lynch plan to arrange a separate workout for Fields later so the duo can watch him in person.
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Mac Jones calls Kyle Shanahan a ‘mastermind,’ loves 49ers coach’s hat
By David Bonilla
Mar 30, 2021
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones threw in front of NFL personnel today in Tuscaloosa. It was his second workout. However, this time, the attendees included San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
As expected, both @JohnLynch49ers and #Kyle Shanahan in attendance today for Alabama's pro day to watch Mac Jones. #49ers pic.twitter.com/x0rwCPvIfl
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) March 30, 2021
Jones got to speak with Shanahan and Lynch after the workout. San Francisco is a potential destination for the Crimson Tide quarterback. Last week, the 49ers traded up from their No. 12 spot to No. 3 overall.
“I think in watching them, obviously, throughout the years, Coach Shanahan, and what he does on offense is
Jeremiah says signs point toward Trey Lance for 49ers, doesn’t dismiss Mac Jones
By David Bonilla
Mar 26, 2021
Everyone is discussing Friday’s massive trade between the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins, moving the former from the No. 12 overall pick to No. 3 while surrendering future first-rounders. That puts the team in a prime spot to select one of the top quarterback prospects in next month’s draft.
It won’t be Trevor Lawrence of Clemson, who is expected to be selected No. 1 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Zach Wilson of BYU could be headed to the New York Jets at No. 2. Assuming that’s how things play out, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah had some thoughts on what general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan might do at No. 3.
“That’s what we expect, and that’s
Simms ‘will be shocked’ if 49ers don’t select Mac Jones at No. 3
By David Bonilla
Mar 29, 2021
Who will it be? Justin Fields of Ohio State or Trey Lance of North Dakota State? Or could the San Francisco 49ers go in another direction? Immediately following the trade from No. 12 to No. 3, NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms, voiced his opinion. He feels Mac Jones of Alabama is the best fit based on what he knows about his close friend, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
49ers-Dolphins…Kyle Shanahan trying to control his own fate. You trade up to 3 for a QB who is NFL-ready right now, not a project. And to me that says Mac Jones.
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) March 26, 2021
Simms reiterated those thoughts on Monday while speaking to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio asked his PFT Live co-host who he thinks Shanahan is leaning toward with a draft still a full
Jeremiah: Majority of the NFL believes 49ers trade was for Mac Jones
By David Bonilla
Mar 29, 2021
It sounds like the majority of the NFL believes that the San Francisco 49ers trading up last week from No. 12 to No. 3 overall was to secure the right to draft quarterback Mac Jones of Alabama, not Justin Fields of Ohio State or Trey Lance of North Dakota State. Of course, maybe that’s exactly what the 49ers want the league to believe. There are so many smokescreens headed into the draft that it is difficult to predict what might happen. That is part of the appeal.
Still, NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah revealed what many people around the league are hearing—that head coach Kyle Shanahan and San Francisco covet Jones, who most feel might be the fifth-best quarterback in this year’s draft class.
“Well, I think the majority of people around the league
