NFL Rumors: 49ers Drafting Mac Jones? Why San Francisco Might Pick Alabama's QB

There is increased speculation that the San Francisco 49ers are targeting a specific quarterback near the top of the 2021 NFL Draft. After trading three first-round picks for the No. 3 overall selection, San Francisco is being linked to Alabama’s Mac Jones.

Surrendering so much draft capital to move up nine spots in the draft has led many to believe that the 49ers have designs on taking a quarterback. San Francisco probably can’t land Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence or BYU’s Zach Wilson, as both are expected to be off the board.

With three more quarterbacks expected to be taken in the first round, Jones has moved ahead of Ohio State’s Justin Fields and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance in numerous mock drafts. In his first full season as the Crimson Tide’s starter, Jones led Alabama to a national championship with a perfect 13-0 record.

“I think it’s Mac Jones. I do,” ex-NFL quarterback Chris Simms said on “PFT Live” when asked if he thought 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is targeting Jones. “I don’t know that, but just knowing my friend, knowing his history, knowing his school of thought to make that type of move, that’s the one that makes sense to me.”

Shanahan and 49ers general manager John Lynch will be in-person at Alabama’s second Pro Day Tuesday to watch Jones throw, according to NBC Sports’ Peter King. Fields is also scheduled to throw Tuesday.

Jones threw for 41 touchdown passes and just four interceptions as a senior while completing 77.4% of his passes. The 22-year-old wasn’t considered a top prospect last year. His production could be attributed in large part to playing with incredibly talented playmakers.

San Francisco has maintained that it expects Jimmy Garoppolo to be its starting quarterback in 2021. Garoppolo led the 49ers to the Super Bowl but the 29-year-old has missed the better part of both the 2018 and 2020 seasons with injuries.

Garoppolo is 22-8 with a 98.1 passer rating in 30 starts with the 49ers.