Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network is well-informed when it comes to pre-draft chats around the league. The analyst project hears all the speculation of Mac Jones-to-49ers, many proclaiming the scenario as almost blocked. Pauline wants everyone to pump the brakes a little, because she doesn’t see it as the certainty that many others would make you think she is.
“People, I think, are only under the assumption of belief that it is a previous conclusion that [the San Francisco 49ers are] will take Mac Jones with the third option in the project, “Pauline told Trey Wingo on a recent podcast (h / t to Patrick Tulini). “I am told that this is not the case at all. There are a few things I’m looking at with Mac Jones that they’ll look into a little more deeply that might be of concern to them. I was told, right now, it’s about 50-50 Mac Jones or one of the other two defenders. “
The other two quarterback options are Justin Fields of Ohio State and Trey Lance of North Dakota State. While many see Jones as having a higher floor and being better prepared right outside the gate, the other two are seen as having higher ceilings and being more worthy of a top-three choice.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch were in attendance last week for Jones’ professional day, continuing to attend Fields training the same day. Although, Assistant General Manager Adam Peters and other team representatives were present to follow the former Buckeye.
Shanahan and Lynch will have a chance to see Fields in person next week.
“Listen, Justin Fields announced today that he will have his next professional day,” Pauline continued. “It simply came to our notice then [14] in the state of Ohio. This is a stroke of genius for Justin Fields and his men, because, as we all know, when Alabama had the pro day, the San Francisco hierarchy went to [Jones’] pro day in alabama and missed pro day Justin Fields. Fields will now have another shot to throw for the San Francisco 49ers.
“So the bottom line is this: people automatically start in Mac Jones at the San Francisco 49ers at three. I was told it’s very premature right now.”
Pauline added: “What I hear [is], yes, Nineri may like one of the defenders more than the other, but they feel comfortable with many of the three boys because they like the skills of all three defenders. … I just hear that right now, it’s not a fact that Mac Jones will be selected by the Niners with the third selection. “
You can listen to the entire draft discussion below. The part about the selection of the 49ers starts at about 18:40.
“People are under the assumption that # 49ers will take Mac Jones with option no. 3. I’m told it’s about 50-50 times Mac Jones or one of the other two QBs. “- @TonyPauline remove insider information about PFN Draft Insiders ⬇️⬇️https: //t.co/4ATserLhPV
– Pro Football Network (@ PFN365) April 8, 2021
More news from the San Francisco 49ers
The analyst calls the idea that the 49ers changed for Mac Jones “a punch in the stomach”
By David Bonilla
March 31, 2021
The longtime analyst of the project, Matt Miller, is convinced that the San Francisco 49ers traded until the No. 3 general election on Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, and he doesn’t seem too happy about it. He grew up as a Niners fan, and the idea that his favorite NFL team might pick Jones instead of a prospect like Justin Fields of Ohio is bothering him on two fronts – as a fan and an analyst. “As a lifelong Niners fan, this is a punch to the stomach,” Miller told the Dan Patrick Show. “I try to trust (general manager) John Lynch and (head coach) Kyle Shanahan, but I remember when they said they didn’t need a defender and passed Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson just to take CJ Beathard to third round. “I am still a little shy about weapons
Tannenbaum sees Mac Jones as “very similar” to Matt Ryan, has QB at 49ers in fake sketch
By David Bonilla
April 6, 2021
Another fake sketch makes the San Francisco 49ers select former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with general election no. However, this one from Mike Tannenbaum from ESPN is a little different. While some analysts consider the Jones-to-49ers to be the most likely scenario, many consider the selection to be a cover, especially with the potential higher-ceilinged, Justin Fields and Trey Lance likely to still be on board. ESPN’s latest fake project features Tannenbaum, a former NFL executive who plays general manager for all 32 teams and picks the players he considers the best.
Mac Jones calls Kyle Shanahan a “brain”, loves 49ers coach’s hat
By David Bonilla
March 30, 2021
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones threw in front of NFL staff in Tuscaloosa today. It was his second training. However, this time among the participants were San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. https://twitter.com/49erswebzone/status/1376928697144340485 Jones spoke with Shanahan and Lynch after training. San Francisco is a potential destination for the Crimson Tide defender. Last week, the 49ers traded from 12th place to 3rd overall. “I think, following them, obviously, over the years, coach Shanahan, and what he does in offense is
Todd McShay has 49 players selecting QB Mac Jones in the latest fake two-round draft
By David Bonilla
April 1, 2021
Everyone is trying to figure out what the San Francisco 49ers will do with general selection no. 3. Last week, they moved into that slot through a blockbuster and trading projects with the Miami Dolphins. ESPN analyst Todd McShay has released his latest fake version, this one of the two-round variety, and has defenders Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson going to the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets, respectively, with the first two selections. San Francisco is also expected to choose the defender of the future and will likely have the choice of Justin Fields, Trey Lance,