The San Francisco 49ers are set to enter the 2026 season with a star-studded roster built around all-time draft steal quarterback Brock Purdy. A return to the Super Bowl is well within reach. It's almost enough to distract from the colossal draft whiff that Trey Lance has become.
The third overall selection in 2021 wasn't just a bust; he was one of the worst picks in league history. Mike Renner of CBS Sports recently ranked all 191 first-round NFL Draft picks made since 2020.
To no surprise, Lance ranked dead last.
Renner said, "John Lynch's late-round wizardry and Kyle Shanahan's play calling have smoothed over an ugly draft track record this decade. Considering what it took to trade up for Trey Lance, his selection goes down as the worst from 2020-25."
49ers' Trey Lance draft whiff just got the ultimate nail in the coffin
Lance's production isn't what makes him the worst pick of the decade so far. There are plenty of other first-round picks who didn't bring value to their team. The cost makes the Lance pick unforgivable, though.
The Niners gave up three first-round picks and a third-round pick to move up for the dual-threat quarterback. Lynch bet the franchise on a QB from an FCS school with limited experience against top competition. To make matters even worse, players like Ja'Marr Chase, Penei Sewell, and Pat Surtain II were drafted just a few picks later.
Lance started four games for the 49ers between 2021 and 2022, posting a record of 2-2 and throwing five touchdowns and three interceptions. He was solid on the ground, averaging over 4 yards per carry with San Francisco, but his dynamic ability didn't fully translate.
Injuries made it almost impossible for Lance to get his career off the ground. He suffered hand, knee, and ankle injuries with the 49ers, limiting his time on the field.
Had the Niners not found Purdy with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Lance may have been given a longer runway. Purdy got his chance when the multiple QBs ahead of him, including Lance, went down. He never looked back, securing the starting job and eventually earning a massive contract extension.
San Francisco has recovered from whiffing on Lance, who is now a backup quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers. Still, it can't escape the haunting miss the former top-five pick was.
Just imagine what this roster would be with three first-rounders in the mix.
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