Will the 49ers trade Trey Lance? Fantasy Football Outlook

April 20, 2023

The San Francisco 49ers revealed that several teams are interested in trading for Trey Lance. That said, will they trade their 2021 third-overall pick after two seasons?

NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport shared that the San Francisco 49ers are fielding potential trade offers for quarterback Trey Lance. While the list of teams that engaged with them was kept secret, Rapoport added that it was the 49ers who received calls rather than the one who pitched the idea.

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Addressing this concern will be significant progress in addressing their quarterback situation. For now, Brock Purdy is the presumed starter until he gets healthy, especially after his tremendous run as the starter last season. He should have the opportunity to get the job back, granted that he can play in 2023.

In the meantime, Sam Darnold will likely take the snaps through the off-season and possibly the start of the regular season. Agreeing to trade Lance will help San Francisco regain some of the draft capital they surrendered to the Miami Dolphins to move up the 2021 draft order. There might be some thought in the Niners’ front office about giving Lance a chance, given the four draft picks they’ve surrendered to get him. With Purdy being the hot hand, the 49ers must swallow that he’s not their guy. Besides, his return from an ankle injury also remains uncertain.

A Fresh Start Would Be Good For Lance

Trading Lance makes a lot of sense for the 49ers. He might be on his rookie contract, but there are high expectations of him after being taken third overall in 2021. That the 49ers moved up to get him made him a can’t-miss prospect, amplifying the pressure to produce.

Moving away from San Francisco gives him a much-needed reset and focus on developing his game. There will still be an expectation for him to produce wherever he goes. Removing the distinction of being the next big thing might jumpstart his career in the right direction. Having an experienced coaching staff around him may even speed up his improvement. Conversely, it settles the reality that Purdy will be QB1.

However, the 49ers cannot expect to get back the trade package they’ve surrendered to acquire Lance. He is a non-performer, with only eight games and a little over 1,000 total yards in two seasons. Getting day two or day three draft picks could be the best offer they will get for him. A first-round pick would be a stretch because he hasn’t blossomed into the starter that San Francisco envisioned.

From a fantasy football standpoint, the team that trades for Lance will project him as a starter. Therefore, he will have more opportunities to showcase his talent, which can lead to better stat lines. But until he shows consistency behind center, several options can provide steady production.

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