Alabama Football: Did the 49ers trade up for Mac Jones?

Will San Francisco draft an Alabama football quarterback?

The future of many Alabama football legends hangs in the balance as the 2021 NFL Draft approaches. As we have seen in the past, landing spots can determine how successful these players will be. With the San Francisco 49ers trading up into the top 3, many wonder if it is to land Mac Jones.

Miami traded back and landed multiple first-round picks in the trade. San Francisco is now clearly looking to draft a quarterback of the future. With Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson penciled into the top 2, the 49ers will be choosing between Jones, Justin Fields and Trey Lance.

At first glance, instinct says that this trade is to land Trey Lance or Justin Fields. However, some experts believe that the 49ers will be looking to land Mac Jones instead. Chris Simms is leading the charge for Mac Jones at third overall. He was also high on players like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.

Here’s what we can say with some certainty. San Francisco will be taking one of these quarterbacks. You don’t trade up this high for anything other than a quarterback. We also know that Shannahan has seen success with quarterbacks like Mac Jones before. Matt Ryan and Jimmy G are both pocket passers who play with anticipation and lack elite physical traits.

However, the fact remains that Mac Jones is widely seen as QB5. Even if Mac Jones is their guy, San Francisco did not have to trade up this high to make the deal. They could have simply traded up to 6.

At the end of the day, giving up this much trade capital for Mac Jones does not make sense. They could have simply traded up a few spots and taken the exact same player at a cheaper cost. With more athletic options on the board, you have to think that the 49ers will go elsewhere.

Still, this would be an excellent landing spot for Alabama football’s Mac Jones. He would succeed in San Francisco. That being said, look for the 49ers to take either Justin Fields or Trey Lance.