2021 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. Wants San Francisco 49ers to Draft THIS QB

Kyle Shanahan and San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch made a bold statement by trading up to acquire the 3rd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The NFC West franchise gave up their 2021 number 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick, and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 to Miami Dolphins in the blockbuster trade deal last month.

In doing so, the Niners have gambled their future in the hope of drafting a top-class quarterback this summer. This all but confirms that the 49ers are not convinced that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is the man to lead the franchise forward in the ongoing decade.

One youngster who is being linked to San Francisco is Ohio State Buckeyes QB Justin Fields. The swashbuckling college superstar had an outstanding season in 2019 throwing for 3,273 yards with 41 passing TDs. He further rushed for 484 yards with 10 rushing TDs that year.

But there have been doubts surrounding him, after a rather quiet season in 2020. His struggle with epilepsy could also prove to be a concern for potential suitors ahead of the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.

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2021 NFL Draft

Here’s what analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said about Justin Fields

Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, popular NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. spoke highly of OSU quarterback and potential 3rd overall pick, Justin Fields.

“I would say Justin failed and that’s been my second-highest-rated quarterback all along….You know some obviously think that Justin Fields is the fifth quarterback in this draft.”

“I respect all those opinions and I just disagree. I think he’s the second-best quarterback. What he did in 2019 is kind of being forgotten. It’s kind of being overlooked, it’s all about 2020,” Kiper Jr. said on the show.

Apart from Fields, the other options at#3 include Zach Wilson (BYU Cougars), Mac Jones (University of Alabama), and Trey Lance (NDSU). The latter three have also put up some impressive numbers in the last two years.

It will be interesting to see who the 49ers eventually pick when the draft begins on Thursday. Who do you think will be donning the Red and Gold jersey when the season starts in September? Tell us in the comments section below.

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