Even up until the day of the 2021 Draft, it was still uncertain which QB the 49ers would take with the No. 3 pick. Our final report on the subject indicated that the decision was down to the team’s eventual pick, Trey Lance, and Alabama’s Mac Jones, who ended up going to the Patriots at No. 15.
During a recent appearance on the “Flying Coach” podcast, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed to indicate that the team did seriously consider Jones before ultimately choosing Lance.
“I think either one would have been a good decision,” Shanahan said (h/t Yahoo’s Josh Schrock). “Like, you’re not moving up if you don’t feel good about both of those. And if it had just been one then we probably would have said no — well, we probably wouldn’t have said that because it’s still risky. But we really — either one of those players would have been a great pick, in my opinion. And the third guy with Justin [Fields], he would have been a great pick. It’s just what direction do you want to go.
“There’s so many things that go into it and you’ve got to make that decision. But I didn’t blame people at all for thinking it would be Mac Jones. Because Mac Jones deserves that. He’s that good of a player and he put it on tape for a whole year, and everyone did want to relate me to Kirk [Cousins] because that’s the only guy that I was openly going for as a free agent, so people talk about him. But Trey brought another element. And it doesn’t mean he’s better or worse. It just means he brought another element that over the course of us studying it really intrigued us, and that’s a direction I would love to go and have always wanted to go.
“But the guy has got to be able to do it all, and Trey sold us that he could and that’s why I’m excited to work with him and it’s up to us to get him to do it.”
After acquiring the No. 3 pick from the Dolphins for No. 12 and a pair of future firsts, the 49ers never really showed their hand, but it sounds like the team was sincerely exploring all of their potential options. As Shanahan noted, the 49ers seemed to value Lance’s diverse skill set, something that was especially evident during a 2019 collegiate season where the quarterback ran for 1,100 yards. For comparison’s sake, Jones had 42 rushing yards throughout his entire college career.
While Lance will eventually be under center for his new team, it sounds like the team is going to give Jimmy Garoppolo every opportunity to win the starting gig.
Lance is a bust. Another dual threat that can’t read an offense.
I did not know the Niner defensive coordinator is named Lance.
Maybe he’s the court bailiff.
In fairness, Mac and Justin will be as well. So it really didn’t matter.
He’s been lauded for his ability to “Read” Defenses.
The kid had offers from Ivy League Schools before deciding to sign with NDSU.So making an indictment on his intelligence or supposed lack thereof is something an uneducated Raider Fan would do.
Fickle 9er Fans annoy me.
A lot of kids at Ivy League school couldn’t read a defense either, there’s book smarts and processing things quickly while a beast of an edge rusher is bearing down on you.
How is a bust when he hasn’t even played 2 pro seasons? Are you a hater?
Based on what evidence? Most scouts think his potential is significant.
Most scouts had N’Keal Harry over D.K. Metcalf as well.
Most scouts are often wrong. If anyone is looking for a great job where you can often be wrong and receive no flak become a scout.
I mean if he was a transcendent as you guys think why was he the 3rd qb selected? Also if he was that good why would dolphins trade back? Only qb worth this high billing is lawerence.
He was actually one of the few QB’s who had former NFL qb’s as coaches, they said they prepared him weekly in the same fashion they prepare QB’s in the NFL. He was lauded for his ability to read a defense and on film he often does just fine going to 2nd and 3rd options. He extends plays with his legs as opposed to running after the 1st option fails. That’s why they got him, he wants to pass but has the athleticism to get out of trouble. We’ll see how he’ll do, and the truth is NOBODY has a crystal ball and NOBODY knows how well he’ll play. That’s just fact. Anything else is pure opinion. And to label anyone something as extreme as a bust before they’ve even played a down… that’s pretty crazy in all honesty. Its more likely Mac is a bust based on the fact he had several first round talents on his offense. A lot of guys can put up monster numbers if they had the receivers and o line Mac had. Those guys could’ve made Trask a top 20 pick.
Let’s just wait and see before making any crazy claims. Bust OR HoF’er, he’s still just a rookie.
He’s not starting day one because they want him to continue growing and learning. Let’s see how it turns out.
id be shocked if three QB from this draft work out
It’s hilarious that you make such a ridiculous comment before he has even take a snap. Armchair QB’s are notoriously dumb and often spout blatantly stupid comments. “Can’t read a defense?” I am sure they put him through a rigorous film session and came away with what they liked. It doesn’t even matter if years down the road he ends up a bust. To make such a comment before he makes one throw, or even has a few years to develop is just flat out dumb.
He was actually one of the few QB’s who had former NFL qb’s as coaches, they said they prepared him weekly in the same fashion they prepare QB’s in the NFL. He was lauded for his ability to read a defense and on film he often does just fine going to 2nd and 3rd options. He extends plays with his legs as opposed to running after the 1st option fails. That’s why they got him, he wants to pass but has the athleticism to get out of trouble. We’ll see how he’ll do, and the truth is NOBODY has a crystal ball and NOBODY knows how well he’ll play. That’s just fact. Anything else is pure opinion. And to label anyone something as extreme as a bust before they’ve even played a down… that’s pretty crazy in all honesty. Its more likely Mac is a bust based on the fact he had several first round talents on his offense. A lot of guys can put up monster numbers if they had the receivers and o line Mac had. Those guys could’ve made Trask a top 20 pick.
Let’s just wait and see before making any crazy claims. Bust OR HoF’er, he’s still just a rookie.
He’s not starting day one because they want him to continue growing and learning. Let’s see how it turns out. @Tatsmaki
The main thing SF needed to do this offense, was improve the backup QB situation. They have a starter that’s proven to be a guy who can get you to the super bowl-when he plays 16 games. But their window won’t be open forever, and far too often have the Niners been forced to put in guys like Beathard or Mullens as opposed to anyone with any high expectations. In Lance, at the bare minimum they have someone with a high ceiling, someone who isn’t going to be written off when he plays, but someone fans are excited for. I hope Jimmy G starts 16 games next year, but the truth is he’s only started more than 6 games once in his entire career. To have no plan behind him is literally throwing away all the money and time they’ve spent on guys like Bosa, Warner, Kittle, Kinlaw, Williams, Mack, Greenlaw, Verrett, Ward, Mosley, Tartt, Ebukam, Deebo, Aiyuk, Mostert, Wilson, Juice, and more.
They need to have someone that they can groom into being a productive player. If Jimmy G becomes an iron man and Trey hasn’t taken the job, then you can trade him just like New England traded Jimmy G, but to have guys who’s ceiling is as a backup like Mullens and Beathard and Josh Johnson as your ONLY options is just silly and a waste of time.
Until he sees the field, it’s far too early to label him a bust or a pro bowler. A waste of three picks or a hall of famer. It’s just too early.
Man, Shanahan just can’t stop volunteering information this offseason, huh? I guess there’s nothing really super sensitive here, but the 9ers would do well to recognize that the guy they’re treating as a complete afterthought is still their starter. Shanahan didn’t mention his name at all.
So, you read a brief two paragraph quote on here where he was specifically asked about breaking down the pick between the QBs with the 3rd selection, out of an hour and a half interview and determined he didn’t mention his name at all? They picked these comments specifically for this article, he mentions Jimmy plenty if you listen. It’s like reading the headline and thinking you understand the entire article.
This isn’t the first interview he’s done on moving in from Garappolo this offseason. I’m saying that Shanahan hasn’t said much about his starter while talking about other quarterbacks frequently. My point based on that is that it will affect his current starter’s morale, and that these snippets Shanahan is volunteering aren’t even close to being need to know information. It doesn’t benefit him to share them. No need to get sensitive.
So they drafted their QB cause he had a lot of rushing yards? Maybe they draft him cause he can throw the ball. Do it all QB’s almost never win titles. And when they inevitably get hurt cause they take too many hits than the whole team collapses.
Prediction: Jimmy G. Wins a Super Bowl and MVP this year for the 49ers and then…they’re screwed
That’s the kind of problem I’d like to have.
Sounds like a sticky nick foles situation