49ers NFL Draft: Power ranking quarterback options with No. 3 pick
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Trey Lance Quarterback
The fact that I have North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance at No. 3 on this power ranking should tell you just how strong this class is.
Lance was an absolute phenom in his one year as a starter in 2019 for the Bison in which he threw a spectacular 28 touchdowns and no picks.
Yes, you read that right, no interceptions whatsoever.
I know what you’re gonna say: “He played in a sub-par NCAA division and his opponents stunk.” That may be true, but the fact remains Lance was 18 years of age during the 2019 season and still had the ability to absolutely dominate his opponents for the entirety of it.
Kyle Shanahan would absolutely love to exploit other teams with the help of Lance, who is touted to have the strongest arm in this year’s draft. Oh, did I mention Lance is an elite rusher as well? Lance rushed for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2019, which would make him utterly dangerous in the 49ers’ system.
Do I think he has some flaws? Of course. His accuracy is slightly questionable at times when targeting receivers downfield, and was often throwing to wide-open players during his lone season as a starter. The reality is, though, Lance would sit behind current signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo for the 2021 and learn the offense. San Francisco is in no rush to move on from Jimmy G just yet, who is still absolutely a capable starter in this league. So letting Lance take notes for a year wouldn’t be the worst of things, rather than throw him into the fire from the get go.
Lance’s play style reminds me a lot of the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray but with a stronger arm. Lance’s ability to move around the field while also attacking opponents through the air is what fuels opposing coaches’ nightmares come game time. He is a true video game-style quarterback.
I think Lance actually has superstar potential, but the only reason I have him a little lower on this list is due to the fact that he has only a single year as a full-time starter in a second division team.
If Lance is the player everyone thinks he is, the 49ers would look stupid for passing on him at the No. 3 spot in this year’s draft. I think most fans would be ecstatic with Lance being the pick here, and so would I.