Seahawks rivals: What 49ers picking Trey Lance means for Seattle

Seahawks NFC West San Francisco 49ers chose quarterback Trey Lance 3rd overall in the 2021 NFL draft. What does that mean for Seattle?

Just over a month ago, the 49ers shook up the NFL draft by trading up to the third spot in this years draft. This has been done at the cost of their first round draft picks in 2022 and 2023, so we can only assume that they had a specific target in mind at the 3 spot, and surely that had to be a QB.

Having spent those oh so valuable draft picks, they have to have got this right or the franchise will be likely to struggle to achieve their goals for the next three to five years. And what does this all mean for incumbent QB Jimmy Garropolo?

Seahawks will face Trey Lance in the near-future

By selecting Trey Lance, the 49ers have taken a huge gamble but it may be one of the best gambles of all time. Lance has very little if any experience against high level college opposition, but show so much athletic prowess and arm strength that you can understand why the 49ers could not resist selecting him.

Added to this that they already have a serviceable starting QB in place in Jimmy G, means Lance can get all the coaching and development he needs before assuming the starting role.

This may not be until 2022 or even 2023, but that ties in with the two years they have sacrificed their first round picks to select Lance in this draft. So by the time we get to 2024, the 49ers and the rest of the world will know if the gamble paid off.

If it does the 49ers could well have a potential all-time great at the starting QB position. Whereas, I believe the top end for Justin Fields is to be a top 5 QB in his era and Mac Jones a top ten QB in his era, Lance could be a top 5 of all time. I really believe he has that potential.

Having said all that, it is a gamble, and for all gambles, there is a losing option. If Lance’s latent ability does not translate into what is required in the NFL you have the next Johnny Manziel/Tim Tebow on your roster in exchange for two first round draft picks. So, for me, the best selection would have been Justin Fields.

As I have said all three of Lance, Fields and Jones have a chance to be the QB the 49ers are looking for so trading up to 3 to get the choice of them was a good move, but selecting Lance gets a B+ grade for me because of the high risk involved. Now we just have to see how Lance could affect the Seahawks in the future.