49ers news: Power ranking Trey Lance, other rookie QBs through 3 weeks

So far, 49ers rookie Trey Lance hasn’t endured the pitfalls of other first-round rookie quarterbacks from the 2021 NFL Draft, so let’s rank them out.

The 2021 NFL Draft was intended to be one of the strongest for quarterback-needy teams lucky enough to be drafting early.

And while only three weeks’ evidence is scarcely enough to determine whether or not any of the five signal-callers selected in Round 1 will totally flame out or emerge as true elites, the overwhelming majority of first-round rookie quarterbacks have gone through their share of massive struggles to date.

Of those five, the San Francisco 49ers‘ Trey Lance, selected at No. 3 overall, has enjoyed some modest success. But unlike his counterparts, Lance hasn’t exactly seen the field much this season.

When he has, though, he’s been productive.

Looking at all five of these first-round quarterback rookies, let’s list them out power-rankings style.

No. 5: Zach Wilson, New York Jets

It doesn’t seem that long ago when Niners fans were clamoring for former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson to be San Francisco’s top pick in the draft.

Instead, the 0-3 New York Jets selected Wilson one spot ahead of the 49ers, No. 2 overall, and it’s pretty easy to differentiate the contexts both Wilson and Lance now have: Lance going to a stacked 49ers team where he doesn’t have to be pushed into the starting fray, and Wilson going to a Jets squad only beginning what’ll be a long and painful rebuild.

Under a first-year head coach, Robert Saleh, and a first-year offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur, with whom Niners fans should be familiar.

Not only have Saleh and LaFleur’s own growing pains hindered Wilson, but a shoddy offensive line and complete lack of offensive weapons have combined to make the rookie’s first three games nothing short of nightmarish. On top of that, New York boasts a backup quarterback in Mike White, one who has never tossed a regular-season pass, to serve as a would-be mentor to Wilson.

Not ideal.

So, it shouldn’t be a surprise Wilson’s 55.2 completion percentage, 51.6 passer rating, seven interceptions and 15 sacks taken, the latter two being league-highs through two weeks, put him dead last in our rookie QB power rankings list so far.