There's a growing belief around the league that the San Francisco 49ers have their sights set on Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the No. 3 pick in this year's draft. But is he the right fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan's system?
The answer is no, according to former NFL scout and SIS Rookie Handbook editor Matt Manocherian. Instead, San Francisco should be fixated on the quarterback prospect from Ohio State, whose draft stock has irrationally dropped in recent weeks.
"Justin Fields is my No. 2 guy. I absolutely love Justin Fields," Manocherian told After Hours with Amy Lawrence. "I actually wrote his report that went in the Football Rookie Handbook, and I noted in that report that I think he'd be such an amazing fit in a Shanahan-style, bootleg-play action scheme. Because, you look at this guy -- and we talk about the tools that [Clemson's] Trevor Lawrence has -- Fields has tools that may even go a little bit further than Trevor Lawrence... And in terms of athleticism, he's not sneaking up on anybody. This guy's the most athletic guy on the field. He looks like the sort of athlete where, no matter what sport he's playing, he would win at that sport...
"He's just that kind of a smooth and also explosive athlete at the same time, that it just jumps off the film... I hear people wanting to knock him for not getting deep in his reads. I would go the exact opposite direction. This is a guy who, as he currently plays, can stay in there and make all of these reads. But probably more intelligently, when he's getting past his second read, he's realizing, 'Hey, they've got two high safeties. They don't have anybody that can keep up with me if I pull this down. I'm going to go take a free first down...' I don't have any intelligence questions about Justin Fields.
"I know everybody thinks Mac Jones is coming off at No. 3 to the 49ers, but say Shanahan does go where I wish he'll go to Justin Fields, then all of the sudden, putting him in that scheme -- where he's going to be on the move, throwing from multiple platforms, having his reads made easier for him by virtue of the way that that offense manipulates the linebackers on the defense -- I think you can simplify things and have an absolutely explosive system that takes advantage of all his skills... He has the upside that's right there along with Trevor Lawrence. Trevor Lawrence has a higher floor, no doubt, but in terms of upside, I think those guys are neck-and-neck."
Fields, 22, is the third overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' NFL Draft big board. Due to COVID-19 and a restructured Big Ten conference schedule, he only played in eight games this past season. But, Fields made the most of his opportunities, as he threw for 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns, rushed for five scores, and led Ohio State to a national championship game appearance.
On Wednesday, Fields held his second pro day workout this month, and Shanahan and 49ers general manager John Lynch were among the NFL personnel in attendance.
According to Spotrac.com, the estimated total value of the third overall pick's contract is $32.2 million, and the estimated signing bonus is $20.7 million.
The NFL Draft is scheduled to begin in exactly two weeks, on April 29 in Cleveland.
The entire NFL Draft conversation between Manocherian and Lawrence can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow After Hours With Amy Lawrence on Twitter @ALawRadio and @AfterHoursCBS, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.
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