San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch (left) shakes hands with head coach Kyle Shanahan after their win against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

49ers deciding between Mac Jones, Trey Lance with No. 3 pick?

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 4/26/21

Justin Fields, who is widely considered the third-best quarterback in this year's draft, likely won't be selected when the San Francisco 49ers are on the clock at No. 3.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the 49ers are narrowing their decision down to Alabama quarterback Mac Jones and North Dakota State signal-caller Trey Lance.

As the #49ers close in on their decision of which QB to take at No. 3, sources say they are down to two prospects — and the belief is those two are #Bama QB Mac Jones and #NDSU QB Trey Lance. Several sources say the focus does appear to have shifted to those two.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2021

After trading three first-round picks to the Miami Dolphins to move up in this year's draft, Niners general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan opted to attend Jones' Pro Day in March when it fell on the same day as Lance's workout.

San Francisco then was reportedly "extremely involved" in Lance's second Pro Day and even designed plays for the showcase.

Jones has been viewed as the favorite to land in San Francisco ever since the 49ers moved up in the draft. He is considered the fourth-best QB in this year's draft after leading Alabama to a national title last season.

Lance, meanwhile, did not have a junior season after North Dakota announced it would not play football in the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, he threw for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns against no interceptions.

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