As is the case with many analysts, NFL Network's Marc Ross sees Justin Fields of Ohio State as the better prospect when compared to Mac Jones of Alabama. The former Buckeye will hold a second pro day next week, but Ross feels the quarterback has already shown everything he needs to show to NFL teams.
"If teams, right now, are still trying to figure out if Justin Fields is the guy, then they've already missed the evaluation, or he's not their guy," Ross told Andrew Siciliano, Bucky Brooks, and Mike Silver on NFL Network.
Ross notes that with teams likely already having all of the information they need on the quarterback prospects, it is admirable that Fields is holding another pro day when he has little to gain.
"This is just him being a competitor and showing, 'Hey, I'm going to go and do everything possible, so there's no excuses," Ross added.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch are expected to represent the 49ers at the upcoming workout. The two missed his first pro day as they attended Alabama's instead, fully knowing that Fields would hold another. Next week will be their first opportunity to watch Fields in person.
The national narrative is pointing to San Francisco selecting Mac Jones with the No. 3 overall pick. That speculation could change after Fields' second workout. Trey Lance of North Dakota State is another of the top quarterback prospects who plan to hold a second pro day, with that one coming on April 19.
While the Jones-to-49ers chatter is deafening, Silver says some don't 100 percent buy into that narrative.
"As people around the league who know Kyle Shanahan attempt to decipher what is going through his mind with that third overall pick now in his possession," Silver said, "there's definitely a faction that believes Justin Fields should be or will be his guy, that the athleticism and the playmaking on the big stage combined might allow Kyle to take his offense to another dimension.
"I agree with Marc and have been saying this: I think it's settled in Kyle's mind, but those who are attempting to read his mind, there are plenty of Justin Fields advocates out there."
There are a lot of people trying to read Kyle Shanahan's mind... I discussed on @nflnetwork @49ers @BuckyBrooks @MarcRoss @AndrewSiciliano pic.twitter.com/YVTNaDnLmN
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 9, 2021
H/t to Patrick Tulini for the find.
