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NFL Draft Rumors: Mac Jones isn’t a done deal to 49ers after all?

By Cole Thompson

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs off the field during the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs off the field during the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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Despite the reports of the San Francisco 49ers love for Mac Jones, don’t pencil him in just yet.

When the San Francisco 49ers traded up to the No. 3 pick, it was certain they were going to take a quarterback. Jimmy Garoppolo should be the starter for 2021, but the goal will be to find their franchise star for years to come.

After electing to skip out on Ohio State’s Justin Fields’ Pro Day, it seemed as if San Francisco was set to draft Alabama’s Mac Jones. Former Crimson Tide star is a prototypical quarterback that fits Kyle Shanahan’s system.

However, things might be changing in the coming weeks.

According to NFL Networks Ian Rapoport, GM John Lynch and Shanahan will head to Fields’ second Pro Day on Wednesday. Not only will the two head to Columbus, they will watch North Dakota State’s Trey Lance throw next Monday.

What does this mean? Maybe pump the breaks on the Jones junction express landing in the bay area.

Whats should the 49ers do at the No. 3 pick?

The 49ers are looking to win now. Our roster on both sides of the ball with much upside, Shanahan needs to find a quarterback that can elevate the game to the next level. And sure, Garoppolo has won plenty, but is he the future?

According to reports, there could be a power struggle on who to draft at No. 3 overall. Shanahan seems set on taking Jones, despite his overall limitations. Lynch likes the potential of Fields thanks to the mobility aspect.

This wouldn’t be the first time Shanahan passed on a quarterback with upside. In 2017, the team elected to draft defense of lineman Solomon Thomas over Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes.

Both Fields and Lance are considered long-term prospects. That might not be the worst thing since it’s expected that Garoppolo will be the full fledge starter at least one more year. As for Jones, many around the league believe he’s the most-NFL ready quarterback in the class not named Trevor Lawrence.

That’s not a compliment. It means that his ceiling is less than the two gunslingers elsewhere.

Going to two more Pro Days allows the 49ers to make a final decision on what to do with the pick. If San Francisco lands the right guy, Shanahan only cements his legacy as the next up and coming mastermind of an offense.

Pick the wrong one and expect he and Lynch to be firing up the resumes while joining the unemployment line.

Next. Browns would be better off signing this player instead of Jadeveon Clowney. dark