The 2021 NFL Draft has been hyped up with buzz, rumors, and trade talks just like every year. However, for once in what seems like an eternity, the San Francisco 49ers are in the thick of it. After trading up to No. 3 overall in a blockbuster swap with the Miami Dolphins, they are zeroed in on a quarterback. From Justin Fields to Trey Lance to Mac Jones, Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers are set to take the next future face of the franchise at three overall.

All signs have been pointing to Jones during the entire draft process. Oddly enough, Fields- who was considered the second-best quarterback of the class- might end up being the 4th or 5th quarterback chosen on draft night. Jones was pegged as the lowest of that tier of quarterbacks, and he might be taken before Fields and Lance.

However, the 49ers would be making a drastic mistake taking Jones over either Fields or Lance.

Mac Jones Would Be a Mistake for the 49ers

The former Alabama quarterback has a lot of skills that could make him last at the NFL level. Albeit, there are some big questions marks regarding Jones. Either way, the 49ers have seemingly narrowed their choices down to Jones and Lance, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 

Why can't San Francisco just take the easy road and select Fields? Everybody saw how well he played at Ohio State, especially in the college football playoff game against Clemson and Trevor Lawrence. Nope, the 49ers appear to be set on Jones or Lance, although Jones has always been seen as the favorite to land in the Bay Area. 

While Jones' numbers last season were astounding- he threw for 4500 yards and 45 touchdowns with four picks- take that as you will. After all, how many times has an Alabama quarterback come into the NFL and then disappeared? It's more the fact that Jones is exactly the type of quarterback Shanahan loves.

If Lance is the other choice they are seriously considering, his talent and potential far outweigh Jones, despite Jones being more “NFL-ready.” Lance was electric in his one-plus season at North Dakota State. He only played one game in 2020 due to the COVID-19 situation but was fantastic in 2019. He tossed for 2786 yards with 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions while adding 1100 yards on the ground.

Quarterbacks like Lance are very rare, and while he may need some time to sit and learn, he can absolutely do that if the 49ers can't trade away Jimmy Garoppolo and that awful contract. As far as pure talent is concerned Lance is the run-away easy choice if they are deciding between him and Jones.

Jones can throw the football, sure. However, the “system QB” debate is a common one, and time after time the Crimson Tide quarterbacks have come into the NFL and have not panned out in the end. Albeit, any quarterback taken would be a risk as is always the case with the NFL Draft.

Case and point are this: the 49ers need to stay far away from Jones and just go with one of either Lance or Fields, both of who have far more talent and potential than Jones.

After all the 49ers gave up in an effort to make the huge jump to number three overall, drafted Jones would be a colossal mistake for San Francisco and could eventually lead to the firing of much of the staff and front office if it doesn't pan out.