Alabama Football: Mac Jones to 49ers no smokescreen

Believe it or not, Alabama football’s Mac Jones will probably be drafted third overall

2021 NFL Draft debates are rising, and it seems that Alabama football‘s Mac Jones is at the forefront of draft controversy. The closer we get to the draft, the more likely it is that Mac Jones will be the third player drafted. San Francisco traded up for a quarterback, and many believe that Jones is their guy.

While NFL reporters are saying that the 49ers are likely to take Jones, fans seem to be having a hard time grasping this likely reality. They are convincing themselves that Trey Lance or Justin Fields will be the pick instead and that Mac Jones is just a smokescreen. However, there is no smokescreen in San Francisco.

Have teams lied about priorities in the past? Absolutely. Most recently, the Dolphins spread rumors that they were not taking Alabama football’s Tua Tagovailoa so no one would trade up ahead of them. The Chiefs also kept it quiet that they were interested in Patrick Mahomes, so there is a precedent for lies in April. However, San Francisco is in a different position.

Everyone knows that Jacksonville is taking Trevor Lawrence. It is widely reported that Zach Wilson will go to the Jets. Now that San Francisco holds the pick, they won’t benefit from a smokescreen. They can take whoever they want, and there is no reason to convince other teams that they are taking someone else.

There are plenty of reasons to be critical of Mac Jones as a quarterback prospect. He lacks the top-level athleticism that other quarterbacks have. He has a quality arm, but other quarterbacks are stronger. He also had a DUI as an underclassman, but he has shown signs of growth from that experience.

Still, there are plenty of reasons to believe the 49ers will take Alabama football’s guy. His accuracy is elite. He is a great scheme fit. His leadership speaks for itself, and he appears to be more NFL-ready than some of the other options.

Regardless of whether or not the 49ers should take Mac Jones, it appears likely at this point. Alabama football fans might want to get ready to buy some San Francisco merch.