Trey Lance: Ranking 49ers QB against other rookies entering Week 6

No. 1: Mac Jones, New England Patriots

Yes, there are probably going to be some small-but-vocal elements within the 49ers fanbase thinking Kyle Shanahan should have gone with Patriots quarterback Mac Jones instead of Trey Lance. That’ll likely be the arguing point from some within the national media, too, but it’s a moot point.

The Niners went with Lance’s upside and high ceiling, and Jones doesn’t come close there.

Yet Jones has his own merits, including having the highest floor of anyone not named Trevor Lawrence, and he was easily the most pro-ready from the bunch, too.

So, the fact Jones is still in place as the No. 1 rookie quarterback entering Week 6 shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. After all, he’s completing over 71 percent of his passes this season, has five touchdowns against five interceptions and boasts a modest-but-respectable 86.4 passer rating on the year.

New England isn’t asking Jones to do much, and that’s fine. For now, and likely for a good portion of his early career, Jones will live off those short high-percentage throws. Aside from a brutal three-interception game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, Jones has been decent enough at proving he’s a quality game manager.

At this point, that seeds him at No. 1.