Will the 49ers Trey Lance gamble pay off?

The San Francisco 49ers surprised many with their first selection of the 2021 NFL Draft as they selected North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance as the number three overall pick.

The diminutive quarterback was expected to go a little later in the round, with other QBs such as Mac Jones and Justin Fields having all been predicted to be ahead of Lance in the rankings, with many that partake in NFL betting finding it difficult to predict what had happened.

However, Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers appear to have taken a gamble at three, although there are arguments that it is not as big as a gamble that it might appear.

Trey Lance not as big a gamble as many will have felt

In fact, it could be argued that the Californian NFL franchise decided to make the right call by selecting the small QB when they did.

There will be questions about whether Lance can handle the bright lights that the NFL provides, he is only the third Bison QB to ever be drafted, with Carson Wentz and Easton Stick having come before him. There is also concern that many players in his position will flop in years one or two, however the 49ers can give him an environment in which he can become the exciting prospect that he is. It is important to remember that despite their disastrous season last year, San Francisco were in the Super Bowl the year before.

Jimmy Garoppolo could help with experience

Still only 20-years-old, Lance has plenty of time to get the experience that is perhaps needed, whilst he also has plenty of time to learn from a QB that has already had plenty in Jimmy Garoppolo – a quarterback who has spent time under Tom Brady.

Indeed, with Garoppolo still in the fold at San Francisco, the 49ers can take their own time and be patient with Lance, as well. They can work him out in training camps and get him used to a new way and a new playbook before unleashing him on the rest of the NFL. Kansas City Cheifs did something similar with Patrick Mahomes and he is now considered to be the best QB in the league, or at least one of them.

Don’t expect Garoppolo to have the number one position for too long, as he has failed to stay healthy for much of his time with the Niners. Lance may get his chance sooner than anticipated, but he will still have an experienced mind to pick and ask questions only experience can answer.

Numbers make Lance ideal for a Shanahan offense

Taking a look at his numbers, Lance does not appear to be as big of a gamble as believed, either. The 2021 NFL Draft pick never threw a single interception whilst leading his team to the national title in 2018, although many will state that the competition just was not of a level required.

Furthermore, the 20-year-old is a player who can fit into a Shanahan offense perfectly, as he has a strong arm that allows him to throw the ball down the field, whilst also having a frame that allows him to move in and around the pocket when required.

Trey Lance has the potential to be a star in the future if things work out, so it will be interesting to see what happens when the NFL season gets underway and he is given his opportunity to shine.

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