Lance's inexperience factored into his ranking, but Simms admits to loving the athletic quarterback's potential. Lance's size could create problems for wood-be tacklers in the open field.
"His arm, like a Justin Fields too, it's really powerful. It's really powerful," Simms said on his Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast. "And I would say, really in a lot of ways, more powerful than Justin Fields because there is a little more consistency with mechanics and controlling of the football to where he can throw it hard and still control it."
Simms feels Lance needs to display more consistency on certain throws. The analyst needs to see more of that before moving up the quarterback on any ranking. There are also some concerns with Lance's mechanics.
"He doesn't throw through the elbow like Justin Fields ... doesn't swing the elbow up high," Simms explains. "But still, the motion can get very long and independent from the body, at times. ... Trey Lance, he can have some throws where you go, 'That's amazing on the run. That's great.' And then you have other games where you go, 'I don't know how you miss it, and miss it this bad, and miss it this many times.'"
Simms feels Lance missed about 10 "slam-dunk" throws in his single game appearance last season. COVID-19 postponed the Bison's 2020 campaign, so the non-conference matchup against Central Arkansas was Lance's only outing before his focus shifted towards the draft.
San Francisco surrendered a lot of draft capital to trade up and select Lance. The team plans to enter Week 1 with Jimmy Garoppolo as its starter, allowing the rookie to sit and learn. Still, some wonder if that will last the entire season. Will the 49ers be pushed to get their No. 3 overall pick onto the football field?
Simms was asked if we might see one former North Dakota State quarterback go against another when the 49ers host Carson Wentz and the Indianapolis Colts during Week 7.
"To me, it's going to be on Jimmy G and how he plays," Simms responded. "Shanahan is going to get Trey Lance ready to go, and if he's got to play him, he'll find ways to make it good for him and make it work. I don't doubt Shanahan."
If Garoppolo is not playing well, Simms wouldn't be shocked to see a quarterback change. Much of that will depend on San Francisco's record by that point. Obviously, if the team is doing well and Garoppolo is proving serviceable, there will be little pressure to have Lance immediately supplant him.
Added Simms: "I'm excited to see Trey Lance and what he can do in the NFL when he does get in."
You can listen to the entire breakdown below. The portion about Lance begins at about the 30-minute mark.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Recap: 49ers drop from the ranks of the unbeaten with sloppy 29-20 loss to Falcons
The previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers were handed their first loss of the season on Sunday, putting on a mistake-filled performance that made them seem a safe distance from the Super Bowl-contending status they carried into the game. The 49ers opened up a 14-3... -
49ers vs. Falcons final injury report: Nick Bosa, Mike Evans among 6 ruled out for Week 7
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 7 contest against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Both teams have released their official injury reports, which are provided below. Wide receiver Christian Kirk is listed as... -
49ers Trade: Are Mack, Sweat, Thomas Jr. or Wilson Next?
John Lynch brought DeForest Buckner back to San Francisco for a 2027 fourth-round pick, adding a proven starter to a defensive line that needed help generating consistent pressure. With the November 10 trade deadline approaching, Lynch could still make another move, especially... -
49ers get positive injury update on Christian McCaffrey after loss to Falcons
The San Francisco 49ers suffered their first loss of the 2026 season on Sunday, falling 29-20 to the Atlanta Falcons on the road and dropping to 6-1. However, there was some positive news following the Week 7 loss, as the 49ers appeared to avoid any significant new...