SF 49ers NFL Draft: 6 quarterbacks to target who aren’t Zach Wilson

SF 49ers QB Target No. 1: Mac Jones, Alabama

It’s going to be hard for the SF 49ers to land Zach Wilson, meaning it’s almost impossible Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance or Ohio State’s Justin Fields will be available to San Francisco, barring some kind of blockbuster draft-day deal.

But Alabama’s Mac Jones could be in the ballpark in Round 1, depending on where the Niners end up selecting and how far up they’d want to trade.

Jones has been phenomenal for the Crimson Tide this season. And while some attribute his success to a star-studded Alabama roster, his technique and abilities under center have high-quality pro-level tendencies written all over them.

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference
Generated 12/1/2020.

What the 6-foot-2, 214-pound Jones brings to the table is a quarterback who can work through his progressions quickly and efficiently. This would free up Kyle Shanahan from having to overly scheme players open, instead allowing Jones to improvise and go to his secondary and tertiary targets.

That’s something the SF 49ers have generally lacked the last two-plus years.

Jones has his exceptional completion percentage, and the ability to knock down 23 touchdowns against only three interceptions over eight games this season is noteworthy in of itself.

Whether or not Jones will be available to San Francisco in Round 1 is another question, but there’s little doubt Jones has to be on the team’s radar leading up to the NFL Draft this spring.