ESPN analyst Todd McShay released his latest mock draft, this one of the two-round variety, and has quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson going to the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, respectively, with the first two selections.
San Francisco is also expected to select its quarterback of the future and will likely have its choice of Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones. McShay has general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan selecting the latter—Jones of Alabama.
"The Niners sacrificed first-rounders over the next two years and then some to skip the line," wrote McShay. "Which player did they do it for? Coach Kyle Shanahan surely has his guy in mind already, and it's going to be a QB -- teams don't make these types of massive early deals for non-QBs.
"I'm hearing a lot of noise about Jones being the 49ers' preference. He is accurate and reads the field so well, which helps assuage some mobility concerns. Plus, he excels when passing in the pocket or off play-action, two staples of Shanahan's system. San Francisco paid a hefty price, but quarterback was in need of an upgrade. Now it just has to hope it selects the right one."
Jones (6-3, 214) helped guide the Crimson Tide to a National Championship this past collegiate season. He was 36-of-45 for 464 yards with five touchdowns in the 52-24 rout of Ohio State.
Jones completed 77.4 percent of his passes for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdowns and four interceptions through 13 games in 2020, earning 2020 Consensus All-America honors and becoming the recipient of the Davey O'Brien and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards.
Lance ends up going No. 7 overall after the Carolina Panthers move up a spot to grab him. The New England Patriots trade up to No. 11 to grab Fields.
McShay has the 49ers selecting cornerback Kelvin Joseph of Kentucky in the second round.
"San Francisco got its QB, and now it gets its cornerback," wrote McShay. "I love Joseph's instinctive play and the way he can start and stop on a dime. He could slide into Richard Sherman's vacant spot."
Joseph recorded 25 tackles, four interceptions, a touchdown, and a pass defensed through nine games as a sophomore for the Wildcats in 2020.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' John Lynch addresses Mac Jones buzz and trade market plans
Significant chatter has surrounded San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones, largely because of the injuries to starting quarterbacks around the NFL during the first two weeks of the season. Some have wondered whether other teams have called the 49ers about Jones, who played... -
Insiders: 49ers' Mac Jones among Giants' list of QB options
The New York Giants head into Week 3 with Jameis Winston at quarterback against the Tennessee Titans after starter Jaxson Dart was ruled out for the rest of the regular season with a left knee injury. The Giants are reportedly exploring other quarterback options, with head... -
Kyle Shanahan opens up about 49ers' injury woes amid latest setback
The San Francisco 49ers have played only two games this season, and their injury list already reads like a roll call. The newest addition is star pass rusher Nick Bosa, who strained his calf while warming up ahead of Thursday's practice. This is nothing new for the 49ers,... -
49ers' Brock Purdy makes huge leap in latest NFL QB rankings
Some felt San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's No. 15 ranking in Nick Shook's first NFL.com quarterback rankings of the 2026 season was disrespectful. Just two weeks into the season, Purdy has climbed significantly on the list. Shook released his latest quarterback...