Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall draft pick last year, was the Week 1 starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars this past season. Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick, was the Week 1 starter for the New York Jets. Mac Jones, the No. 15 overall pick, was the Week 1 starter for the New England Patriots. Justin Fields, the No. 11 overall pick, was the Chicago Bears' starter by Week 3.
The San Francisco 49ers went in a different direction with the No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance. There was no rush to get him on the football field. The consensus was that the 49ers owned a roster capable of competing for a championship and already had a veteran quarterback who had gotten them to a Super Bowl. So San Francisco could afford to be patient with their rookie quarterback's development.
Lance only had one full season as a starter in college, facing lesser competition than the other quarterbacks selected in the first round. At the time of the draft, he had played in one game in a span of over 15 months. Throwing him into the fire from Week 1 could have been disastrous.
Could have. We'll never know.
While Lance admits that he is a competitive individual, he is also a team player and willing to do whatever the 49ers asked of him.
"For me, it was about [filling] my role as soon as I knew what it was," Lance told reporters this week. "It was Jimmy's spot, so for me, I just attacked it the way my team needed me to. It was attacking my role on scout team, and doing whatever I can, and doing whatever I need to, to be ready each week."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan believes Lance learned a lot emulating opposing quarterbacks on the scout team, and that the experience has already made the young passer a better player. Lance also feels he has benefited from the role and patient approach.
"I learned a lot on scout team, being able to play as and emulate different guys, and playing different playing styles that aren't necessarily my own," Lance said. "I think I gained a lot from it, gained a lot from playing guys who typically stay in the pocket, and then going to guys like Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, those guys who can play off-schedule at a really high level.
"I think I developed as a player, and obviously going against our defense, which I thought was the best defense in the league. Going against our defense every single day, obviously, every rep makes me better."
Another benefit for Lance was that his rookie season didn't seem overwhelming. Yes, he worked hard and had to be ready to start if needed. But there wasn't the pressure of performing at a level that matched the high expectations that come with a talented roster.
"Everything was new," Lance said when asked if there were any eye-opening welcome-to-the-NFL moments for him. "I remember coming in, rookie minicamp, the mindset is just to be able to come in and compete, and learn as much as I can. I think I did that.
"We had an awesome [quarterback] room this year and awesome locker room. So for me, I don't know that there's one thing that necessarily surprised me, but I got to learn a ton, and the leadership that some of these guys in this locker room have is the best that I've ever been around."
Trey Lance did start two games and had to deal with a finger injury and left knee sprain this season. However, this offseason, none of that should hinder him as he prepares to be the 49ers' likely starter in 2022.
"I feel great. A hundred percent healthy," Lance added.
While Lance will be just 22 years old when the 2022 season kicks off, you have to be impressed by the maturity he showed in his first NFL season.
