The 49ers ultimately drafted Trey Lance after trading up for the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, but they initially had their eye on another quarterback.
The Niners made the move – trading three first-round picks to the Dolphins – because they believed the Patriots might also move up and “beat them” to Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, ESPN reported Sunday.
Jones, the 15th overall pick, will make his first career start for the Pats on Sunday against the Dolphins after beating out since-released veteran Cam Newton for the job in training camp. Lance will open the season as the backup to Jimmy Garoppolo for the Niners against the Lions.
Five of the first 15 selections in the draft were spent on quarterbacks, also including No.1 pick Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), No. 2 Zach Wilson (Jets) and No. 11 Justin Fields (Bears).
According to ESPN, the Niners completed their trade with Miami in March to be positioned “to select a quarterback for the future” among “multiple worthy candidates.” They also were “concerned the Patriots would leapfrog them in the draft” to grab Jones, who led Alabama to the 2020 NCAA title.
The 6-foot-4 Lance completed 19 of 41 passes for 276 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in three preseason games for San Francisco. The North Dakota State product has been limited in practice this week with a right index finger injury suffered in the preseason finale Aug. 29 against the Raiders.