placeholder image

Argus Leader-USA TODAY NETWORK


Pelissero: Mac Jones a good draft fit for 49ers but keep an eye on Trey Lance

Apr 22, 2021 at 1:47 PM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport joined NFL Network on Thursday and discussed the looming quarterback question that the San Francisco 49ers have to answer next week during the draft. Will it be Mac Jones of Alabama, as many are predicting? Or will the team ruin everyone's mock drafts and take Justin Fields of Ohio State or Trey Lance of North Dakota State?

While Jones is viewed as more pro-ready right now, Fields and Lance are viewed as more athletic and having higher ceilings.

"But what Mac Jones brings to the table are two characteristics that Kyle Shanahan really highly values," Pelissero explained. "He is a quick processor, and he is accurate with the football, which in that system, can allow you to make up for some things that you lack."

While analysts would probably take Fields or Lance over Jones if the decision were theirs, many in NFL circles can understand why Jones has climbed up draft boards. The Alabama quarterback threw for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and had just four interceptions while leading his team to a National Championship — all while completing 77.4 percent of his passes.

"Mac Jones is someone who is brilliant, has a photographic memory, the kind of mind that Kyle Shanahan — really any quarterback coach — would like," Rapoport said. "Is his ceiling a little lower than some? Maybe. But if you're getting a starter for the next 10 years, that would be a lot to argue with.

"Plus — and I want to be careful how I say this — I'm not saying that he's Joe Burrow, but I've had many high-ranking executives tell me his film, just the film, looks just like Burrow's from last year."

Lance held his pro day this week. Shanahan and general manager John Lynch were in attendance. While the former Bison may sit behind Jones and Fields when it comes to prospects with the best odds to be selected at No. 3, Pelissero hears from sources around the league that a Lance-to-49ers scenario shouldn't be dismissed.

"[K]eep an eye here on Trey Lance because I've spoken to a number of relatively plugged-in people in recent days who all say Lance has to be at least a consideration at No. 3," Pelissero said. "He had his second pro day on Monday. I've talked to people who watched that pro day either live or on tape. All say that it was better than the first pro day.

"And at that pro day, Ian, Lance was running some Kyle Shanahan staple drills, concepts, throws, because the 49ers wanted to make sure, with no private workouts allowed because of COVID restrictions, that they got the best look possible of one of the mystery men in this draft."

As for Fields, Rapoport added that the sky is the limit for the former Buckeye before commenting on Lance.

"Physically, he is everything you would ever want," Rapoport said of Fields. "And then Trey Lance, whose potential is through the roof, really, it's all over the map as far as where people view him. Some people view him as a perennial future Pro Bowler, and some simply do not, especially with the game he played this year being not that great."



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

ESPN names 49ers as best fit for Tre'Davious White

By David Bonilla
Mar 20

Following the initial flurry of free agency activity, ESPN's Bill Barnwell took a closer look at the remaining unsigned players, identifying ideal landing spots for each. Among the prospects, cornerback Tre'Davious White found himself connected with the San Francisco 49ers as a prime fit. The Buffalo Bills, who selected White with the No. 27 overall pick in 2017, released the cornerback on March 13. The 49ers would love to bolster the defensive backfield, finding a better option to pair on the outside with Charvarius Ward and allowing Deommodore Lenoir to find a permanent home in the


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan: 49ers hope to keep Brandon Aiyuk, Brock Purdy together

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

Last week, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan ran into his wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas. "He was randomly at our hotel. I don't think he wanted to be," the coach shared on Tuesday while speaking to reporters at the NFL owners meetings. The 49ers are currently negotiating a long-term extension with Aiyuk to ensure he remains with the team for the foreseeable future. However, with it only being March, it's challenging to predict how everything will unfold. Typically, under the leadership of Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, the 49ers have reached agreements with their star players closer to training camp in July. Lynch stated yesterday that the


placeholder image

49ers see impending mega-deal for Brock Purdy as a 'good problem'

By David Bonilla
Mar 27

The San Francisco 49ers are actively working to sign wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a contract extension, aiming to maintain their talented young core of players. The team has reached agreements with star players during each of the last four offseasons, securing George Kittle in 2020, Fred Warner in 2021, Deebo Samuel in 2022, and Nick Bosa in 2023. Another key contributor poised for a new deal next offseason is quarterback Brock Purdy. Over the last couple of years, the 49ers have been in the unique position of not having to pay much money (relatively) to stock their quarterback room while reaping the benefits of superb play from their starting signal-caller. However,


placeholder image

NFL Draft: 49ers meet with OT, DB, LB at Pro Days

By David Bonilla
Mar 19

The San Francisco 49ers recently attended UCLA's and Fresno State's Pro Days, aiming to bolster their roster with promising prospects. With an eye on the 2024 NFL Draft, the team may want to add to their defensive back and linebacker positions. The 49ers observed defensive back Alex Johnson's performance in Westwood. When asked about his interactions with NFL teams, Johnson revealed, "I'm on my way to talk with the Niners right now." UCLA defensive back Alex Johnson is meeting with the San Francisco 49ers after his Pro Day in Westwood.


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone