The San Francisco 49ers have long been regarded as one of the NFL’s savvier franchises when it comes to the draft, consistently building competitive rosters through astute selections. However, no team is immune to mistakes, and for the 49ers, their most glaring misstep in recent memory came in the 2021 NFL Draft with the selection of quarterback Trey Lance at No. 3 overall. This decision, widely regarded as one of the franchise’s biggest draft busts, continues to haunt fans and analysts alike. In a recent Bleacher Report piece, Matt Holder revisited this infamous pick, labeling Lance as the 49ers’ worst draft choice in the last five years and offering a tantalizing hypothetical: what if the 49ers could redo that fateful selection?
The Costly Mistake of Trey Lance
The Trey Lance saga is a painful chapter in 49ers history. To secure the No. 3 pick, San Francisco traded a staggering package: three first-round picks and a third-rounder. The cost was monumental, and the return was negligible. Lance, a raw prospect from North Dakota State, started just three games for the 49ers, equating to one draft pick per start—a grim statistic for a team that invested so heavily. As Holder aptly put it, “There isn’t much of a debate here since Lance might be the biggest draft bust in 49ers’ history.”
The decision to draft Lance was rooted in the team’s desire to find a long-term solution at quarterback, but the gamble backfired. Lance struggled to adapt to the NFL, hampered by limited college experience and injuries, ultimately leading to his departure from the team. The 49ers’ front office, led by John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, faced intense scrutiny for the move, especially as other teams reaped the rewards of their 2021 draft picks.
A Second Chance: Rashawn Slater as the Ideal Pick
In Holder’s hypothetical exercise, the 49ers get a do-over, with the benefit of knowing that quarterbacks Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones—three of the top signal-callers in the 2021 draft—did not pan out as first-round talents. Instead of moving up to No. 3, Holder assumes the 49ers stay at their original No. 12 pick, opening the door to a different kind of impact player. His choice? Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater.
Slater, a two-time Pro Bowler, has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier offensive linemen since being drafted 13th overall by the Chargers in 2021. Holder argues that selecting Slater would have addressed a key need for the 49ers at right tackle while setting up a dream scenario for the offensive line. Pairing Slater with perennial All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams would have created a formidable duo, potentially transforming San Francisco’s offense into an unstoppable force.
Imagine a world where Christian McCaffrey, one of the league’s most dynamic running backs, operates behind a line anchored by Williams and Slater. The 49ers’ 2023 Super Bowl run, which ended in a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, might have had a different outcome with such a dominant offensive front. Slater’s versatility—he played right tackle during his first two years at Northwestern—would have made him an immediate starter, with the potential to slide to left tackle as Williams’ heir apparent.
The Parsons Alternative: A Defensive Dynamo
While Slater represents a safe and impactful choice, Holder also considered another tantalizing option: Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who was selected 12th overall in 2021. Parsons has since emerged as one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players, earning three Pro Bowl nods and a reputation as a game-wrecking pass rusher. Pairing him with Nick Bosa, the 49ers’ star defensive end drafted just two years prior, could have created a defensive front unlike any in recent memory.
A Bosa-Parsons tandem would have been a nightmare for opposing offenses, combining relentless pressure with elite playmaking ability. While the 49ers’ defense was already formidable in 2021 and beyond, adding Parsons might have elevated it to historic levels, potentially pushing San Francisco over the hump in their Super Bowl pursuits.
However, Holder notes that the 49ers’ prior investment in Bosa likely would have steered them away from Parsons in favor of addressing other needs, such as the offensive line. Still, the thought of these two defensive titans sharing the field is enough to make any 49ers fan wonder what could have been.
The Lingering Sting of What-Ifs
The Trey Lance pick remains a sore spot for the 49ers faithful, not just because of his lack of production but because of the missed opportunities it represented. The draft capital surrendered to move up for Lance could have been used to bolster an already talented roster, potentially turning near-misses into championships. While the 49ers have since found success with Brock Purdy, the “Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2022 draft who has become a franchise cornerstone, the Lance debacle serves as a reminder of the high stakes and fine margins of NFL roster building.
Holder’s hypothetical redo offers a glimmer of hope for fans dreaming of a different outcome. Whether it’s Slater fortifying the offensive line or Parsons terrorizing quarterbacks alongside Bosa, the 49ers had options in 2021 that could have reshaped their trajectory. As the offseason rolls on and hypotheticals dominate the conversation, one thing is clear: the ghost of Trey Lance will linger in San Francisco until the team finally hoists the Lombardi Trophy.
For now, 49ers fans can only imagine the possibilities of that shocking second chance—and hope the front office nails its next big swing.