The 2021 NFL Draft class is shaping as much as be one to recollect. Nevertheless, for those who’re the 49ers, it is doubtless one you need to overlook.
The Trey Lance period in San Francisco ended earlier than it even actually received began, because the No. 3 decide in 2021 was traded to the Cowboys on Friday for a fourth-round draft decide. Lance’s days within the Bay Space have been seemingly numbered after he misplaced the backup quarterback battle to Sam Darnold, who sits because the second QB behind starter Brock Purdy on the 49ers’ depth chart.
San Francisco thought that they had the QB of the longer term two years in the past. The 49ers traded a haul to the Dolphins so as to transfer up the draft board and choose a sign caller. The crew determined to go along with Lance, a cellular quarterback out of North Dakota State who seemingly had the instruments to translate his play to the NFL stage, however had not confronted top-notch competitors in school.
The reward was under no circumstances well worth the threat, as Lance completed his time with the 49ers profession taking part in in simply eight video games, logging a 2-2 file in 4 begins. He accomplished 54.9 p.c of his passes for 797 yards, 5 touchdowns and three interceptions.
As Lance shifts all the way down to the Huge D to backup Dak Prescott, the 49ers are left wanting like one of many largest losers of the 2021 NFL Draft. Not solely did the crew obtain only a fourth-round decide for a participant they traded three first-round picks and a third-round decide for, however the expertise that the 49ers handed on in favor of Lance is absurd.
MORE: Full particulars of the Trey Lance commerce between the 49ers and Cowboys
Here’s a look once more on the 2021 NFL Draft and who the 49ers handed on to pick Lance:
Who went after Trey Lance within the 2021 NFL Draft?
When it was the 49ers’ activate the clock on the 2021 NFL Draft, solely two names have been off the board: Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson.
Sitting at No. 3, the expectation was that the 49ers would draft one of many remaining quarterbacks obtainable. That meant choosing both Lance, Justin Fields or Mac Jones. San Francisco elected to go along with Lance.
Improper transfer.
Whereas Lance spent nearly all of his time in San Francisco on the sidelines, Fields and Jones solidified beginning roles on their respective groups. Fields ended up being chosen eleventh total by the Bears, whereas Jones went to the Patriots at No. 15.
Fields has made 25 begins for Chicago during the last two seasons. In 2022, he accomplished 60.4 p.c of his passes for two,242 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. However his largest weapon was his legs, because the Ohio State product rushed for 1,143 yards and eight TDs final season.
With a revamped offense round him within the Windy Metropolis, Fields is a powerful candidate to take one other step ahead within the NFL.
MORE: Breaking down what the 49ers gave as much as purchase the Trey Lance decide
Jones has been New England’s starter for the final two seasons, making 31 begins. Accidents stored him out of three video games final season. After ending second in Offensive Rookie of the Yr voting in 2021, the Alabama product accomplished 65.2 p.c of his passes for two,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Whereas his numbers have been down from his rookie season, Jones was nonetheless a dependable QB in a New England offense marred by poor offensive teaching. With a brand new offensive coordinator in Invoice O’Brien, 2023 could possibly be a breakout 12 months for Jones.
To make issues worse for the 49ers, quite a few the gamers who have been chosen proper after Lance on draft day have changed into stars. Whether or not a non-QB was ever on San Francisco’s thoughts is unlikely, however there is no doubting that there was some important expertise handed by on the 49ers’ aspect.
Offensively, huge receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith all have been top-10 alternatives and have all carved out main roles of their respective offense. Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater have emerged as two of the perfect up-and-coming tackles within the league, going No. 7 and No. 13, respectively, within the draft.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, Micah Parsons has been an absolute beast for the Cowboys, ending second in Defensive Participant of the Yr voting two years in a row. He was chosen with the No. 12 decide that initially belonged to the 49ers earlier than their trade-up. Pat Surtain II and Jaycee Horn every are dominant cornerbacks who may have most definitely been used within the 49ers’ secondary.
Buying and selling away a No. 3 total decide after simply two years and 4 begins is unhealthy enterprise as is. You add in the truth that the 49ers handed on a pool of about 10 gamers who have already got change into reputable starters, and it makes the Lance decide even more durable to swallow.
2021 NFL Draft outcomes
Here is the whole rundown of the primary spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft:
Spherical
Choose
Group
Choose
1
1
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
1
2
New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
1
3
San Francisco 49ers (from Dolphins via Texans)
Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
1
4
Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
1
5
Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
1
6
Miami Dolphins (from Eagles)
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
1
7
Detroit Lions
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
1
8
Carolina Panthers
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
1
9
Denver Broncos
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
1
10
Philadelphia Eagles (from Cowboys)
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
1
11
Chicago Bears from Giants
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
1
12
Dallas Cowboys (from 49ers via Eagles, Dolphins)
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
1
13
Los Angeles Chargers
Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
1
14
New York Jets (from Vikings)
Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC
1
15
New England Patriots
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
1
16
Arizona Cardinals
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
1
17
Las Vegas Raiders
Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
1
18
Miami Dolphins
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
1
19
Washington Soccer Group
Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
1
20
New York Giants (from Bears)
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
1
21
Indianapolis Colts
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
1
22
Tennessee Titans
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
1
23
Minnesota Vikings (from Seahawks via Jets)
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
1
24
Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
1
25
Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
1
26
Cleveland Browns
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
1
27
Baltimore Ravens
Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
1
28
New Orleans Saints
Payton Turner, DE, Houston
1
29
Inexperienced Bay Packers
Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
1
30
Buffalo Payments
Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
1
31
Baltimore Ravens (from Chiefs)
Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
1
32
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington