Selecting quarterbacks in the first round of the NFL draft is not an exact science.
No matter how much homework a team does on a potential draft pick, there are a ton of variables that can play a part in a player’s development (or lack thereof).
Just ask the Indianapolis Colts if they want a do-over on their 1990 first-overall selection Jeff George. Or if the Raiders want to rethink selecting JaMarcus Russell first overall in a draft that featured Hall of Famers Calvin Johnson (No. 2) and Joe Thomas (No. 3). Oh and some guy named Adrian Peterson was taken at No. 7.
This brings us to the San Francisco 49ers and their extremely big reach on Trey Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft.
The Niners appeared set at QB with a healthy — albeit returning from injury — Jimmy Garoppolo, but the brass wanted a safety net. They traded up with the Miami Dolphins in exchange for their first-round picks in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and their third-round pick in 2022. Most thought that Mac Jones would be the QB of choice, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
Fast forward two seasons, Jimmy G is gone and Trey Lance appears to be out the door in favor of Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold. What?
This year’s Super Bowl odds suggest bettors still believe in what the Niners are doing, but picking Lance will always haunt San Francisco fans given the talent that was available: Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones.
Let’s take a look at where Trey Lance could end up in the coming weeks.
