The 49ers would be higher on this list if they had more to offer. The trade that put them in position to draft quarterback Trey Lance third overall also sent two future first-round picks to Miami (in 2022 and 2023). A first-round pick seems pretty high for a player of Jones’ age, but if that is what is needed to pull him away from Atlanta, then the 49ers can’t really join this party. On the other hand, they should be interested if the price is more sensible. This is still a team that has several key pieces remaining from its loss to Kansas City in Super Bowl LIV. They’ve got $17.66 million in cap space and they’re about to have a quarterback operating on a rookie deal. Yes, the 49ers have two young, talented receivers in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. However, Jones is still more dangerous, and he also has a pretty good history with head coach Kyle Shanahan, which should count for plenty. Jones enjoyed his best professional season in 2015 (136 receptions, 1,871 yards) when Shanahan was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator. They reached the Super Bowl a year later and narrowly lost to New England Patriots in overtime.
Let’s also not forget that the 49ers have been extremely aggressive lately when it comes to building their roster. Along with that trade to draft Lance, they also just gave a six-year, $138.06 million contract to a 32-year-old Pro Bowl left tackle with his own history of injuries. The 49ers did that deal with Trent Williams because they wanted one of the league’s best pass-blockers to protect the blind side of Lance and current starter Jimmy Garoppolo. Finding a way to make room for Jones could do even more to help those quarterbacks feel good about their offense.
