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

Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

. Trey Lance. 3. player. 42. .

No. 3: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers

Some may argue Trey Lance deserves to be ranked higher on this list, especially considering he’s accounted for touchdowns on 28.6 percent of his offensive snaps to date.

Speaking of offensive snaps, though, Lance has only been out there for San Francisco on seven snaps.

Yes, Lance tossed a touchdown in Week 1, getting the 49ers their first points of the 2021 season, then rushed for another against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3.

Related Story: Trey Lance is last remaining Round 1 QB not starting

But that’s where the stats effectively come to an end.

One pass attempt for a touchdown, a few rushing attempts that have either been stuffed close to the line of scrimmage, aside from his score against Green Bay, and Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan continues to play Jimmy Garoppolo, insisting Jimmy G remains San Francisco’s starter.

While fans may be clamoring for the 49ers to start Lance, Shanahan can still afford to bring the rookie along slowly, not forcing him unnecessarily into any tough situation as long as Garoppolo is healthy. And considering how much the other first-round rookie quarterbacks have struggled so far this season, perhaps Shanahan’s approach with Lance is the smart one.

Particularly if the 49ers are playing the long game.