To some, the term “system quarterback” is a pejorative. But in this 49ers’ offensive system, with Kyle Shanahan calling the plays and Christian McCaffrey making plays out of the

New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns' strip sack on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones sets up Giants deep in 49er territory.

In 2017, Jones had Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa in front of him on the Alabama depth chart. The Crimson Tide had a new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach that season, and Brian Daboll is now the Giants’ head coach.

In Week 8, Mac Jones and the San Francisco 49ers meet the Houston Texans at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at NRG Stadium. Jones, in his last game, posted this statline: 17-of-26 (65.4%), 152 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones' 21-yard connection with wide receiver Skyy Moore advances SF into red zone.

The similarities are obvious. Daniel Jones, Mayfield, Darnold and Mac Jones were high- or mid-first-rounders, while Smith was an early second-rounder. League executives agreed each player has always possessed the physical skills to start in the NFL, which was indicative of their draft stock.