NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson is a fan of the San Francisco 49ers selecting quarterback Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick. Many people are, considering there were rampant rumors that the team might seemingly reach by selecting Mac Jones. Lance has the potential to be one of the toughest quarterbacks to defend in the coming years, and Robinson feels the young passer will eventually elevate head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense to another level.
"Look, first of all, the skill set of Trey Lance takes this Kyle Shanahan offense over the top to a championship level, to heights I don't think Kyle Shanahan has seen," Robinson said on NFL Network (h/t to Patrick Tulini).
Why does he feel so passionately about Lance's potential? Robinson loves Lance's ability to throw with timing from the pocket and is excited about what the quarterback's added athleticism brings to the game plan. Lance's ability to run creates pressure on a defense to play 11-on-11 rather than 11-on-10, which is the case for quarterbacks who can't take off with the football themselves.
"You don't know whether to stay back in the pass (defense) or attack Trey Lance because he can make you miss," Robinson explains.
Robinson adds that Lance's athleticism will also benefit the 49ers running backs, opening up space for them because of the threat the mobile quarterback presents.
"Now you can run a quarterback power from that offense," Robinson notes. "Now you can truly have 11-on-11 football. ... This is a little bit different quarterback than I think Kyle Shanahan has ever been around. ... Great job, San Francisco. Great job, Kyle Shanahan, and (John) Lynch, and everybody involved in making this particular selection."
Fellow analyst Shaun O'Hara chimed in on another added benefit of having Lance on the roster: pushing Jimmy Garoppolo.
"Let's take Trey Lance, let's say he doesn't even play a down this season," O'Hara said. "It's still a great pick, and here's why: What happened to Aaron Rodgers last year? They went out and drafted a quarterback, right? Jordan Love. Aaron Rodgers went on to become the MVP. He was hell-bent on making it a scorched Earth after they drafted a quarterback to supplant him.
"I'm saying that you're going to get the best version of Jimmy Garoppolo that you have seen to date because of the fire and the pressure that's coming up behind him."
You think the Bay was ready for Trey? 😏🦬 #NFLDraft #ProBison @49ers | @treylance09 pic.twitter.com/pkJeIkaBEA
— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) May 2, 2021
