2021 NFL Draft: One quarterback SF 49ers can scout in each round

SF 49ers Target for Round 1: Mac Jones, Alabama

Not long ago, BYU’s Zach Wilson was a favorite among the SF 49ers fanbase and would be a great addition if the Niners wanted to go all-in on a potential future franchise elite.

But Wilson is now widely regarded as the No. 2 signal-caller in this year’s draft behind Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, likely winding up well out of range from San Francisco’s trade-up scenarios from the No. 12 overall pick.

Instead, a more realistic option would be to focus on Alabama’s Mac Jones, whose five touchdown passes in the Crimson Tide’s one-sided win over Ohio State in the CFB Playoff Championship game cemented about as impressive a finish a quarterback could have hoped for in advance of the draft.

Jones is nowhere near the athlete some of the other dual-threat quarterbacks are in this year’s class. But he’s cerebral and understands the nuances of potentially complicated offenses like the one Kyle Shanahan runs.

Plus, as evidenced by his 41-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio last season, Jones is more than adept at protecting the ball, too.

That was a particular problem with both Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Mullens the last year-plus.

Jones is probably a reach at No. 12 overall, and the Niners would be wise to explore trade-down options if he’s their pick. But when considering what Shanahan has traditionally wanted at the position, it’s hard not seeing Jones as a likely fit.