In 2019 the San Francisco 49ers made noise by acquiring the third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft to select North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance.
Since then general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, did their best to keep the 49ers roster as a Super Bowl contender, while attempting to develop Lance who did not have much starting experience in college. Also, it is easier to mention who was drafted immediately after. Yet the reality is the pick was always viewed as one that was high risk, high reward and simply put it did not work out.
Injuries played a role, Lance sprained a knee in his rookie season and last year fractured his ankle. Still when a former third overall pick, Sam Darnold got signed to a one-year deal, the writing was on the wall. There was competition for the backup role to Brock Purdy.
This week though Shanahan made his decision, and it did not go Lance’s way and on Friday night he got traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick in 2024. While the window was not open for long in San Francisco, he got his opportunity to become the face of the franchise. Unfortunately the 49ers were not in rebuilding mode and Purdy excelled when he got the chance to play after injuries.
So even though some fans will bring up how many chances former no.1 overall pick Alex Smith got, it is nowhere near the same. The 49ers currently have a roster that is a legitimately a Super Bowl contender and when Smith played those roster did not have much talent.
Also, noteworthy after Smith suffered a concussion and the 49ers started winning, Colin Kaepernick took over as the starting quarterback in his second season in the NFL. For Lynch though, his track record with first round picks has become even more questionable as Lance gets added to the list of failed selections.