Smith doesn't see it.
"I promised to never be the former player that is a hater but I swear I have a hard time understanding the 49ers would trade all of that for Mac Jones," wrote Smith in a tweet. "I like Mac and I think he will be a solid player but as a prospect I don't see the value in 'mortgaging the future' for him."
Niner fans can certainly relate. While the national media narrative and most mock drafts point to Jones being the most likely selection at No. 3, the fanbase would rather see one of the two prospects perceived to have higher ceilings. Those quarterbacks would be Justin Fields of Ohio State and Trey Lance of North Dakota State.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch attended Jones' second pro day on March 30. They will travel to Columbus tomorrow to watch Fields in person, and then to Fargo next week to work out Lance. The 2021 NFL Draft begins on April 29.
Smith spent two seasons with San Francisco, both coming before the arrivals of Shanahan and Lynch. The former Baltimore Raven and two-time Super Bowl champion capped off his eight-year NFL career with one-year stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2017) and Carolina Panthers (2018).
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... -
49ers have strong reason to keep Mac Jones after watching NFL injury situation
The San Francisco 49ers aren't the only NFL team dealing with injuries this season. Four starting quarterbacks have already been sidelined through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. The latest is New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is believed to have suffered an... -
49ers place DT C.J. West to IR, sign receiver and two D-linemen
The San Francisco 49ers have signed defensive lineman Naquan Jones to a one-year deal and signed wide receiver Brandin Cooks and defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the team's practice squad. To make room on the roster, the team released cornerback Jakob Robinson from the...