APC Community Mock Draft: The 49ers are on the clock

The top 2 QB’s are off the board! The first 2 picks went as expected, with Trevor Lawrence headed to the Jaguars and Zach Wilson to the Jets. Last week, the 49ers made shocked the NFL by giving up three first-round picks to move up to the 3rd spot in the draft. A move like this could shake up the NFC for years to come if the 49ers nail the pick. If they go QB here, it will be just the third time in NFL history that QB’s have gone 1-2-3 in the draft. All signs point to Mac Jones being the pick here, but could this be a smokescreen from John Lynch and the 49ers brass? Let’s look at their options.

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

After a year as a gadget weapon at Georgia, Fields transferred to Ohio State, where he started for two seasons and led the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff twice, losing to Clemson as the 2-seed in 2019 but taking the Tigers to the woodshed this January before losing to Alabama in the title game. Fields’ performance in the 2021 Sugar Bowl was tremendous, as he showed off his toughness after a hard hit to the ribs early in the game and his arm strength with deep throws all over the field. His athleticism (reportedly ran his 40 in the low 4.4s) should have coaches salivating as well.

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

For the second time in the last half-decade, the Bison will have a first-round pick at quarterback. Lance leaves for the Draft as a redshirt sophomore and with just one season as a starter under his belt. He’s big (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) and fast (no official 40 time, but estimated in the 4.5s) and he’s as much of a threat with his legs as with his arm. He might need time to acclimate to the NFL, but all the physical tools you could ask for are there.

Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

After getting some spot duty as a redshirt sophomore in 2019 with Tua Tagovailoa missing time, Jones took over as the Crimson Tide’s starter this fall and led the team to a national title. Throwing to a tremendous receiver group that included Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith and likely first-round pick Jaylen Waddle, Jones lit up the stat sheet with over 77% completions, 4500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just four picks. Concerns about his mobility and ability to throw on the move will be his biggest roadblock to being drafted highly, however. Jones might have been the top pick in the draft 15 or 20 years ago, but with mobility becoming more and more important for NFL quarterbacks, that will likely hold him back significantly.

With the 3rd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select…

Be sure to vote here and on Twitter @acmepackingco. With pick #3 in the books and the 49ers getting their QB of the future, we set our sights towards the Atlanta Falcons at pick #4. Will 4 QB’s go in the top 4 or will Atlanta help protect Matt Ryan? Check back at 4 PM EST to see the Falcons’ options.