Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
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.
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 month away.
"I think it's Mac Jones. I do," Simms responded. "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. ... I think he makes sense to him, one, because, I think, after Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson ... he's the most NFL ready right now."
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will speak with reporters on Monday afternoon. Then they will head to Tuscaloosa to watch Jones throw on Tuesday in his second workout in a week's time. Fields will also be throwing on Tuesday, but Lynch and Shanahan chose to watch Jones instead, sending assistant general manager Adam Peters and a contingent of staff to observe Fields.
"And I would say, really Zach Wilson and Mac Jones, to me, are more NFL ready as far as reading NFL defenses and being able to do NFL-offense type of stuff," Simms continued. "... And I think that's the type of guy you trade up to No. 3 to get. You don't trade up to a Trey Lance (type) of a, 'Well, he's got great talent, but we're not sure. It's a little bit of a gamble. There's some things we've got to help him out with and grow his technique and figure those type of things out.'
"And I think that goes with Justin Fields too, that it's a little bit more of a project. I don't think you trade up to a No. 3 pick for that type of guy. I think you trade up for a No. 3 pick where you go, 'No, I kind of think this guy, if I had to, could start and play this year, ready to go, Week 1,' and that, to me, smells Mac Jones because I expect Zach Wilson and Trevor Lawrence to be gone, of course."
Alabama QB Mac Jones says he's watched a lot of 49ers tape. Says their drop-back passing game is similar to what Alabama does. Calls it a "super quarterback fiendly" offense
Jones fits more of the Kirk Cousins mold. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback has been linked to Shanahan and the 49ers at almost every opportunity—mostly by Florio. Shanahan has always been and remains a fan of the former Washington Football Team draft pick.
"I think he's sitting there going, 'I think this guy's just like that,'" Simms added. "He's talented like Matt Ryan, and he can dice you up with his arm and his brain, his decision making. And the athleticism is enough for him to do the boots and play-action for my offense. And if you give me a crack of more than two years with a quarterback like that, I think he thinks, I'm going to win a Super Bowl.
"And I think that's ultimately why he makes that type of decision. And I like I said, I will be shocked if it's not Mac Jones at No. 3. I really would be."
If the 49ers draft a wide receiver, don't expect it to be a smaller guy
By Marc Adams
Apr 13
The San Francisco 49ers are in good shape for 2024 when it comes to the wide receiver position. What that room looks like after this coming season remains to be seen. Most believe the 49ers will give Brandon Aiyuk a new contract around the start of training camp. But there are no guarantees. As it was reported on Friday, Aiyuk unfollowed the 49ers on Instagram, much like Deebo Samuel did two years ago.
It seems to be how modern-day players negotiate. It's not necessarily anything to be concerned about, but you never truly know how these things will end. There is still potential that the 49ers could trade the star receiver in the next couple of weeks.
If Aiyuk is extended, it
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Rapoport: 49ers send clear message to teams inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
