Mac Jones versus Justin Fields or Trey Lance. That is the big debate when it comes to the San Francisco 49ers and the 2021 NFL Draft. While the latter two names are more likely to excite the fanbase, there is a lot of speculation that the former might be the pick at No. 3 overall.
One former 49ers defender, cornerback Richard Sherman, doesn't assume it will be Jones, though. He actually sees Fields as the perfect fit for San Francisco, assuming Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are taken with the first two selections.
Cornerback Tre'Davious White, the most recent guest on the Cris Collinsworth Podcast, which Sherman co-hosts, also believes the 49ers will select Fields. It isn't easy to fathom that San Francisco surrendered multiple first-round picks and a future third to trade up for Jones.
"If you're going to move up that far, I think you've got to get a special talent," White said in his argument for Fields over Jones. "And I think that if you're looking for a quarterback, that [Fields] would be ... the best option."
While many laud the quarterback's athleticism, Sherman sees Fields as, potentially, the most efficient passer in the draft.
"He has similarities to what Jimmy (Garoppolo) does," Sherman said, "because Jimmy G is a very efficient quarterback. He's going to get the ball; he's going to have a high completion percentage. He's going to get the ball in his spots. He's going to move the ball down the field. He's really smart. He has great command of Kyle's (Shanahan) offense. It's really awesome to see, and I think he's still going to be the starting quarterback day one for San Francisco because they have a chance at a Super Bowl this year. They have a Super Bowl-capable roster, which is obvious. He's already taken them to one.
"But I think Justin Fields is the one, even without his athleticism, if you just took him as a stand-alone pocket passer, and his efficiency, and his completion percentage, and what he's able to do week in and week out, he's a winner. He's been at a program that competes at a high level year in and year out, always in a championship, always in the big games, and he's played well. And he's managed those situations really well. And I think that his athleticism just adds another layer of elite ability that makes him a difference-maker."
Sherman adds that there isn't enough discussion about Fields compared to the accolades that Lawrence and Wilson have garnered. The cornerback feels that the level of talent among the NFC West quarterbacks, should San Francisco add Fields, could be unmatched. It would add a dynamic to Shanahan's offense that the coach hasn't had since Robert Griffin III and make things very problematic for opposing defenses.
"I think it changes the dynamic, and it adds dynamic to Kyle's offense that's necessary," Sherman continued, "because the pass rush now has to pause, the blitzes have to slow down, or you have to bring the house, and you've got to get there. Because if you don't get there, he will slice and dice through your defense in a play that's going to get ugly."
As for Sherman's future, the cornerback remains a free agent and doesn't expect to see any serious suitors until after the draft. He feels teams will wait to see what can be had from the rookie pool before looking to sign the 33-year-old corner.
You can listen to the entire podcast below.
