Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Fan revolt leads to 49ers drafting Trey Lance in Cris Collinsworth’s mock draft
Apr 29, 2021 at 6:23 AM
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The San Francisco 49ers have stated that fan blowback will not influence their decisions in improving the roster. That goes for the NFL Draft. Fans have made it clear via social media that quarterback Mac Jones of Alabama is a
very unpopular option for the No. 3 overall pick.
"Our charge is to go and not worry about the anxiety of our fans, and hopefully, that there's some trust there," general manager John Lynch said this week during the 49ers' pre-draft press conference.
Added head coach Kyle Shanahan: "Let us go through the process. We're going to get a good one. Yeah, I wish I could take that anxiety away from people, but that's because people get excited. ... We're going to add a quarterback to our team this year."
Cris Collinsworth of Pro Football Focus doesn't have the 49ers selecting Jones in his mock draft, released this morning. He has the team drafting
Trey Lance of North Dakota State, and the reason goes against everything Lynch and Shanahan said this week.
"I don't believe the Niners traded up with Trey Lance in mind," Collinsworth explained. "I will always think that Kyle Shanahan traded up to get Mac Jones, but the fan base revolted. So, the 49ers go the developmental route with Trey Lance and let
Jimmy Garoppolo play one more year."
It seems unlikely that a decision of this magnitude will factor in the pulse of the fanbase. Justin Fields of Ohio State remains the most popular option of the top three quarterback prospects expected to be available at No. 3. However, he has the third-best odds to be the Niners' pick. Jones is the betting favorite, followed by Lance.
Most final mock drafts have San Francisco selecting Jones, like
this one from Peter Schrager of NFL Network,
this one from Lance Zierlein, and
this one from Daniel Jeremiah.
"Lance will eventually give the 49ers that final element: a QB who can run on bootlegs opposite those stretch runs," Collinsworth continued. "San Francisco already fields the most creative offense in the NFL, and Lance may add that final piece that proves too much to stop. At the same time, the FCS product has so little experience against top competition that this is still a very risky move."
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons are probably keeping a close eye on what happens at No. 3, which might explain San Francisco's reluctance to hint at who the team is targeting.
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"I think Jimmy had his best spring
Kyle Shanahan talks injuries, cancellation of 49ers' remaining practices, Trey Lance
By Site Staff
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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters today, as organized team activities come to an end. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
I know this was a big topic last year and things don't seem to be going any better this year, as far as from the injury standpoint, but I mean, can you explain this away, the injuries to RB Jeff Wilson Jr., OL Justin Skule and DB Tarvarius Moore as bad luck, or is there anything to suggest that something else is going on?
"I mean, I can tell you what happened to the three of them. You know, Jeff got hurt sitting down in a chair in the locker room and he got out of it and his knee got in an awkward position.
49ers' Mike McDaniel discusses new role as coordinator, Trey Lance, DeMeco Ryans
By Site Staff
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San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel spoke with reporters today, as organized team activities come to an end. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
So you got the new title. What does that mean? Have your duties changed at all and what's been your priority focus this off season? Any projects out there for you?
"Well what it means, I would say, is it's an honor and privilege, really. Just to be the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator, in particular, the offensive coordinator for [head coach] Kyle Shanahan. What does that mean in terms of my day-to-day job responsibilities? It's funny because I get that question a lot and I understand
