49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch were on hand at Alabama quarterback Mac Jones’ Pro Day, which took place the same day as Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields’ Pro Day. Speculation about the decision to attend one over the other was tempered some by Shanahan saying before Jones’ Pro Day that they were in the process of setting up an additional workout for Fields. That workout is now set for April 14, and Shanahan and Lynch are both expected to be there according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapaport.
Fields lit up his first Pro Day on March 30 when he ran a blistering 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and highlighted a strong outing with his arm by heaving a 60-plus yard throw on the run rolling to his left. The athleticism and arm talent that made him a top prospect were on full display. He said after the event he was happy to do it again to prove it wasn’t a one-day fluke.
While he was doing that, Shanahan and Lynch were in Tuscaloosa, Ala. watching Jones. Shanahan said before the choice to see Jones was an easy one because Fields had another Pro Day coming.
“It’s (Alabama’s) second one and just talking with Fields’ agent and everything, we’ll get another one from him, too,” Shanahan said in a March 29 press conference. “So, we’ll be able to see him. That kind of made it an easy decision.”
Fields’ second Pro Day will come 15 days out from the NFL draft, which is scheduled to begin April 29. With a decision as large as the one the 49ers’ are making after moving up nine spots in the draft by parting with three first-round picks and a third-round pick, leaving no stone unturned in the search for the right selection is the right move.
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