With the initial flurry of free agency dying down, Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus released the analytics site's latest mock draft and has the San Francisco 49ers selecting their quarterback of the future while freeing up some salary-cap space in the process.
Renner has general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan moving up to the No. 4 spot in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to grab quarterback Justin Fields of Ohio State.
"The 49ers give up a future first and some change to get their guy," wrote Renner. "The pick not only represents a possible upgrade over Jimmy Garoppolo, but it also clears $23.6 million in cap space from Jimmy G's contract that the 49ers could use after the Trent Williams deal."
There has been a lot of speculation surrounding the future of Garoppolo, who has spent much of the past three seasons sidelined due to injuries. Reports state that the New England Patriots remain interested in the 49ers quarterback but Lynch and company aren't interested in dealing him right now.
San Francisco has just under $8 million in salary-cap space, per OverTheCap.com. The team locked up offensive tackle Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk to long-term deals while securing cornerback Jason Verrett for another season. It also has to start thinking about a long-term deal for linebacker Fred Warner.
Fields (6-3, 228) appeared in eight games with the Buckeyes last season, completing 70.2 percent of his passes for 2,100 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding five rushing touchdowns, per Sports Reference. That followed up a 2019 campaign that saw the quarterback throw 41 touchdowns and run for 10 more while throwing just three interceptions.
The Atlanta Falcons use San Francisco's original pick at No. 12 overall to select cornerback Patrick Surtain II of Alabama.
Renner also includes the second and third rounds within his mock draft and has the 49ers bolstering their offensive line with Jalen Mayfield of Michigan with the No. 43 overall pick. That means the selection wasn't among those surrendered in the trade to move up from No. 12 to No. 4.
Renner also has the 49ers retaining their No. 102 overall pick in the third round and using it on tight end Tommy Tremble of Notre Dame, whom the team has met with virtually.
Notre Dame TE Tommy Tremble can do it all. He's going to be a big time weapon at the next level. I love his game.
He's met/will meet virtually w/ the #49ers, #Cardinals, #Broncos, #Saints, #Jets, #Washington, #Colts, #Packers, #Patriots, #Falcons, #Chargers, #Titans and #Bills.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 27, 2021