If Mel Kiper Jr. was picking for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, he wouldn’t take Mac Jones or Trey Lance.

No, the signal-caller that would be taken No. 3 overall if Kiper was calling the shots would be Justin Fields.

Here is what Kiper had to say when asked who the San Francisco 49ers should take at No. 3 overall during a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.

“I would take Justin Fields, and that’s been my second-highest rated quarterback all along,” Kiper answered. “I had Josh Allen number one when he went with third quarterback overall. I had (Justin) Herbert high last year, he went third overall. You think about Jordan Love (some had him) ahead of Herbert.

“Some obviously think that Justin Fields is the fifth quarterback in this draft. I respect all those opinions, 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, a COVID year.”

For what it’s worth, Kiper also shared his predictions for the top 10 picks in the draft, which feature a few trades.

Kiper’s mocked first 10 picks of the 2021 NFL Draft:

  • #1 QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
  • #2 QB Zach Wilson, Jets
  • #3 QB Mac Jones, 49ers
  • #4 TE Kyle Pitts, Dolphins (via trade with Atlanta)
  • #5 OL Penei Sewell, Bengals
  • #6 QB Trey Lance, Falcons (via trade with Miami)
  • #7 WR Ja’Marr Chase, Lions
  • #8 WR DeVonta Smith, Panthers
  • #9 LB Micah Parsons, Broncos
  • #10 QB Justin Fields, Patriots (via trade with Cowboys)