4 best-case scenarios for 49ers in 2021 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers need to be cautious in the 2021 NFL Draft, particularly with the No. 3 overall pick, but these four outcomes would be excellent.
The final weeks and days are now counting down to the San Francisco 49ers‘ first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and essentially the only thing that is somewhat guaranteed is general manager John Lynch will use that pick, No. 3 overall, on a quarterback.
Lynch and the Niners didn’t trade two additional first-round selections plus a Round 3 pick in 2022 to move up from No. 12 overall to address any other position.
Despite the aggressive move-up, San Francisco still has a full array of nine picks in this year’s draft, meaning it’ll look to take full advantage of a deep class of additions unlike last year’s draft where the 49ers selected only five players.
The draft itself, of course, is an odd beast full of surprises and shake-ups. And the Niners’ own actions, particularly those in the later rounds, are going to be affected and influenced by 31 other teams’ actions, too.
That said, there’s plenty of room for some best-case scenarios to pan out on draft day, including the first, which should be a much simpler action than it’s appearing.
No. 4: 49ers select Zach Wilson, Justin Fields or Trey Lance at No. 3 overall, not Mac Jones
There’s still plenty of buzz about San Francisco eyeing Alabama quarterback Mac Jones at No. 3 overall, now including ESPN’s Adam Schefter saying he “wouldn’t be shocked” if Jones was the pick.
At No. 12 overall, Jones would have been a bit of a reach for the 49ers but an understandable one. Not at No. 3 overall, though.
The simplest outcome for the Niners here, and the one that would generate an easy best-case scenario, would be to use that pick on whichever quarterback is left after the Jacksonville Jaguars presumably select Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and the New York Jets probably wind up picking BYU’s Zach Wilson.
Wilson would be a best-case fit, too, but that seems highly unlikely after the Jets shipped their former starting QB, Sam Darnold, off to the Carolina Panthers.
Still, San Francisco has the inside track to land Ohio State’s Justin Fields and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance at No. 3 overall, which is essentially a gift-wrapped best-case scenario.
The only way to undo it would be to take Jones instead.