49ers NFL Draft 2021: Picking the best, worst, most intriguing picks

49ers best pick: Trey Lance, Quarterback

So, this one might be a bit puzzling for some given everybody had their different favorites for the pick, and I went on record as preferring now-Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields for the pick.

Let me explain.

I liked Fields more because the assumption was the 49ers would get out from under incumbent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s big contract, and that meant assuming the pick would be for a guy who was ready to play early.

But I do think new 49ers quarterback Trey Lance has the highest ceiling of any rookie quarterback not named Trevor Lawrence, and this makes so much more sense when you consider the team will keep Garoppolo and allow Lance to develop slowly.

Lance has a rocket arm and takes care of the ball. He does need to work on accuracy a little, but that can be trained up and he’ll be comfortable in the 49ers’ offensive style that’s very similar to North Dakota State.

The real intrigue, however, is in his legs.

The new era of quarterbacks require a quarterback to have a weapon that either can be used as a focused weapon (Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray and Josh Allen being some examples) or as a last resort that can still punish defenses (Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson are examples).

Lance fits that mold, and the Niners can choose to either feature his running or leave it as something to do when plays break down. Either way would be good, although it would be a shame if Kyle Shanahan doesn’t find ways to utilize his running ability on some plays.

As the first time the 49ers have used a first-round pick on a quarterback since Alex Smith with the No. 1 overall selection in 2005, Lance has the hope of a franchise on his young shoulders.

Personally, I think he’s landed in the best place possible to succeed and I would be very surprised if he doesn’t pan out.