The quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft have dominated the talk leading up to the draft.
Alabama’s Mac Jones has always been in the discussion, but he certainly has not grabbed the headlines like Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, BYU’s Zach Wilson, and Ohio State’s Justin Fields.
Until last week, we should say.
Prior to last week, mock drafts had Mac Jones being drafted 15th overall by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
Then, the San Francisco 49ers decided to trade up in the draft.
Instead of going 12th, the 49ers traded with the Dolphins to draft 3rd overall.
Immediately, the word was that the 49ers wanted Mac Jones.
Multiple NFL analysts express belief that San Francisco 49ers trade means good news for Alabama's star quarterback Mac Jones:https://t.co/uOQTDOfsBo pic.twitter.com/afmnjXZW31
— 247Sports (@247Sports) March 26, 2021
His stock rose from being a potential 15th overall pick to the 3rd overall pick by virtue of this trade.
The irony that San Francisco and New England were the most interested in Mac Jones is not lost on anyone who wonders what this means for current 49ers and former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garrappolo.
This is the backdrop for Mac Jones’ second Pro Day.
(Alabama has two Pro Days.)
The first one was prior to the trade so the second one was under more intense scrutiny.
In attendance were 49ers GM John Lynch and Coach Kyle Shanahan as well as Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Though it is not clear how Belichick felt about Jones’ overall performance, it does not seem he was thrilled with this particular overthrow.
Mac Jones overthrow
Bill Belichick:
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 30, 2021
To be clear, Belichick may not have been shaking his head at the play.
It could have been a reaction to whatever McDaniels was saying to him.
Shanahan Had A Poker Face.
Of course, cameras were fixed on Kyle Shanahan after this play also.
Cameras turned immediately to Kyle Shanahan after this Mac Jones overthrow and the first thing that came to my mind is Jimmy Garoppolo's overthrow in Super Bowl LIV. pic.twitter.com/lXNkERecg7
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 30, 2021
No one really knows if Shanahan was having a deja vu moment, but the throw is strikingly similar.
This was just an all time overthrow from Jimmy G. A wide open guy streaking for a lead with 1:30 left in the super bowl and you overthrow him by a mile pic.twitter.com/rKI8UQwSNm
— daniel r*wley (@ABRACADANlEL) February 3, 2020
Does Pro Day Matter?
Maybe Pro Days matter more this year in the absence of the NFL Combine.
However, coaches and scouts study game tape to get a truer indication of what the player does in a real-life game situation.
In the case of Shanahan with the third pick and the first two picks seeming to be foregone conclusions (Lawrence to the Jaguars and Wilson to the Jets), he most likely knows who he is drafting.
Belichick, on the other hand, at 15th may not know because of all of the different scenarios and possible selections that could happen before him.
Could San Francisco And New England Be Intertwined Yet Again?
The #49ers, to this point, reportedly have refused to engage in any trade talks with the New England #Patriots revolving around Jimmy Garoppolo, but Bill Belichick apparently isn't giving up. https://t.co/bcIOATesRs
[Photo: Getty Images] pic.twitter.com/e3rM7mzFjn
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) March 26, 2021
If the 49ers get Jones, could they trade Jimmy G to New England?
The 49ers said multiple times that Jimmy G is their starting quarterback, but it does make you wonder since they gave up so much to move up to third overall.
Filed to ESPN: Dolphins trading No. 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick (SF’s comp pick for Robert Saleh hiring) and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, per sources.
Blockbuster deal with massive ramifications for years to come. pic.twitter.com/nRLMUaWGo5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
The best way for San Francisco to regain lost draft picks is with another trade, and Belichick is reportedly interested in bringing Jimmy G back.
This is one of the many interesting storylines leading into the 2021 NFL Draft, and we will soon get some clarity.
The NFL Draft is being held in Cleveland, Ohio from April 29, 2021 through May 1, 2021.
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