Fowler: 49ers have an ‘open mind’ entering draft, pleased with Justin Fields’ decision-making

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler joined SportsCenter and shared what he is hearing about the San Francisco 49ers and their looming quarterback decision in the 2021 NFL Draft. The senior reporter shared that nothing has been decided yet, and quarterback Trey Lance of North Dakota State can still convince the team to select him No. 3 overall on April 29 with a strong pro day showing on Monday.

"[T]he 49ers are taking this with an open mind, a broad approach," Fowler said. "They're still looking at all those quarterbacks. So, with no Combine this year, lack of game film, these pro days take on a heightened importance. So, they want to see Lance in play-action, moving around, mobility, tailoring things toward what maybe the 49ers would do on offense."

Other options for San Francisco at the No. 3 spot are Justin Fields of Ohio State, who took part in a workout in front of the 49ers and other teams last week, and Mac Jones of Alabama.

"There's been a lot made about Fields and his decision-making, how he reads the field from the pocket," Fowler said. "But I've talked to sources who said both the 49ers and other teams in the top 10 have been pleased with his productive Zoom meetings with those teams, discussing how he makes decisions from the pocket, how he prepares for games, all those things. They've been happy with that.

"So, if the 49ers don't go Fields, it's not because they don't like him. It's just because maybe they love somebody else."

On March 26, San Francisco traded up nine spots from No. 12 overall to acquire a quarterback of the future, surrendering four draft picks, including its first-rounder in each of the next three drafts, to the Miami Dolphins.

H/t to Patrick Tulini for the find