The 49ers have made waves with their blockbuster trade for the number three overall pick in the upcoming 2021 NFL draft. They have been adamant that they do not have a player set-in-stone on the draft board. They have also been vocal that they are not trading Jimmy Garoppolo and that he is still expected to be the start for this season. However, most assume that this trade-up was to land one of the coveted quarterbacks at the top of this year's draft.

Trevor Lawrence is the de facto number one overall pick and he has been since his freshman year of college. However, after Lawrence, there are four other quarterbacks who are likely to go in the first round this year. Those quarterbacks are Zach Wilson from BYU, Justin Fields of Ohio State, Trey Lance from North Dakota State University, and Mac Jones from the University of Alabama. One of these four quarterbacks are likely to be the 49ers selection with the third pick.

QB 1: Zach Wilson

Zach Wilson is an incredibly talented quarterback. The BYU star has a lot of the tools NFL teams look for in a quarterback prospect. His footwork is textbook and he uses that to leverage his positioning in and out of the pocket. His arm talent isn't quite at the level of a Josh Allen or a Trevor Lawrence, but he does have solid arm strength and he has really excellent downfield accuracy. His processing is the number one skill that attracts NFL teams. He makes really smart progressions through his reads and he rarely makes the wrong decision. He has the drawback of being much less mobile than most of the other quarterbacks likely to go in the first round this year and there is some worry that he might not have the ceiling as the more dual-threat quarterbacks.

Wilson is likely to go within the top 3, whether it be to the Jets at two or the 49ers at 3. Many reports say that the Jets would take Wilson and look to trade current quarterback Sam Darnold. There are some reports that the Jets could go a different way and Wilson would fall right to 49ers at 3.

QB 2: Justin Fields

Justin Fields is one of the dual-threat quarterbacks mentioned above. His mobility is a huge draw and it allows him to make plays you would never expect a quarterback to make. He can make plays well outside the pocket and in the open field as well. His arm talent is eye-popping. He can make down-hill throws with ease and he looks to be a home-run quarterback at the next level. The drawback with Fields is his alma mater and the offense he's used to. Ohio State runs a very simple offense that is meant to take decisions out of the quarterback's hands. Fields usually only had to make one read every time down the field and he will likely have to grow as a decision-maker to succeed in the NFL.

Fields is an excellent fit in San Francisco if the 49ers plan to hang onto Garoppolo. Fields can sit and learn for one year behind a game managing quarterback and can blossom as a decision-maker. Kyle Shanahan runs an offense that could take excellent advantage of Justin Fields' arm and leg talent. Fields could be a perfect developmental pick for the 49ers at three.

QB 3: Trey Lance

Trey Lance, of North Dakota State University, is similar to Fields in that he needs development to be a true NFL starter, but the reasons for that are slightly different. Lance likely has the second-best arm of any quarterback in this draft behind only Trevor Lawrence. The power he generates through purely his upper-body is absurd and he would likely be one of the best arm talents in the NFL if he works out some footwork issues. His processing is solid, but nothing special. He makes good decisions and moves well, but his issues are technical. He struggles with footwork and putting leg power into his throws. He doesn't have incredible accuracy, likely because of this footwork issue, but if a team thinks they can fix these issues, he could be an excellent NFL quarterback.

Much like Fields, Lance makes sense if the 49ers are willing to let him sit for a year or two so he can learn. His issues are fixable, but he will need time and attention to improve. Shanahan could take advantage of Lance's dual-threat potential and turn him into a star if given the patience and care he needs to get there.

QB 4: Mac Jones

Reigning National Champion Mac Jones has pushed himself into the first-round conversation since the end of the NCAA season. Jones is a great processor and he consistently makes the right reads and passes in the pocket. He has the issue of a low ceiling though. He has mediocre arm strength and lackluster mobility. If a team buys into Mac, they're likely looking for a guy who can fill in and manage the game right now.

Jones makes some sense for the 49ers if they plan on starting him immediately and trying to win. Jones does not have a ton of upside, but he can manage the game and get the ball to the 49ers' playmakers. Mac at three is likely a stretch, but it makes sense if the 49ers want a player to make an immediate impact and run the game from their first snap in the NFL.