Accurately predicting the professional success of elite collegiate players often perplexes NFL general managers and scouting departments. Over the years, many so-called “cant-miss” prospects have turned out to be complete busts.
On Friday night, the trade of 2021 No. 3 pick Trey Lance to the Cowboys signified another player who failed to live up to immense expectations.
The former North Dakota State standout, who appeared in just eight career games over two seasons with the 49ers, finishes his brief time in San Francisco on the wrong side of historical ineptitude.
According to ESPN Stats and Info Lance’s eight career games for the 49ers was the fewest total by a top-five pick for the franchise he debuted with since 1967.
BREAKING: 49ers are trading QB Trey Lance to the Cowboys for a mid-round pick, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/dX5wH2BHiv
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 25, 2023
Lance isn’t alone among promising signal-callers chosen at or near the top of NFL draft’s only to fizzle out once they hit the professional gridiron. The 24-year-old talent still has a chance to resurrect his career before joining a list that includes 1994 No. 3 pick Heath Shuler, ’98 No. 2 pick Ryan Leaf, ’99 No. 3 pick Akili Smith, ’99 No. 1 pick Tim Couch and 2007 top selection JaMarcus Russell, among others.
