San Francisco 49ers: 5 bold predictions for 2021 NFL Draft

While the focus for the 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft has been on Round 1 and the selection of a quarterback, let’s offer up more bold predictions, too.

Predicting the San Francisco 49ers will take a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft isn’t so bold. It’s almost a guarantee in every sense but officiality only.

The Niners, owners of nine picks in this year’s draft, moved up from No. 12 overall to make a quarterbacking selection. And while there’s no shortage of speculation surrounding which signal-caller San Francisco will take at that spot, one has to keep in mind there are still eight other picks and a good deal of other needs head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have to address later in the draft.

So, while Round 1 will garner the bulk of the attention, one could argue the real portion of the 49ers’ draft efforts will begin with their second pick.

Prediction pieces are always fun this time of year anyway, so let’s offer up five bold predictions for the Niners over the course of the draft’s three-day period.

49ers Prediction No. 1: Justin Fields is the pick at No. 3 overall

Well, perhaps it’s not so bold. But considering some NFL Draft pundits like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. are saying Alabama quarterback Mac Jones is “locked in” to San Francisco with the third overall pick:

Kiper has his credibility, so that has to be taken into account.

But let’s make our own bold statement here and say Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, not Jones, winds up being the 49ers’ top pick in the NFL Draft instead.

Fields has a far higher ceiling than Jones, and few would argue that point effectively. While Jones is a more NFL-ready player and has the higher floor, the Niners didn’t trade up nine spots and give up three additional prized draft picks to be conservative with their top choice.

Bluntly stated, if San Francisco is going to be bold with the trade-up, it might as well be bold with the selection, too.

There’s nothing overly bold about Jones, sorry. Fields, however, is far bolder a statement and will be the selection at No. 3 overall.