How the 49ers can Tip Their Plans for Trey Lance in the NFL Draft

Adding a fourth quarterback looks like it will be in the cards for the San Francisco 49ers in the upcoming NFL draft.

Adding a fourth quarterback looks like it will be in the cards for the San Francisco 49ers in the upcoming NFL draft.

They reportedly held a private workout with UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson Tuesday, per Aaron Wilson. It isn't abnormal for the 49ers to conduct their due diligence on potential prominent prospects, but to do so with a quarterback is a bit odd. The 49ers are fully invested in the three quarterbacks they have now.

Perhaps drafting one is in their plans in case Purdy doesn't return on schedule if at all this season. Besides, they do need another quarterback for depth purposes to get through training camp and the preseason since Purdy won't be there for most of it. You also never know if Trey Lance or Sam Darnold will pop up with an injury, so there is that aspect as well. Still, it is quite intriguing to see that they did this. It looks like they are more likely to draft a quarterback than not.

And if they do, then it can tip their plans with Trey Lance.

It all depends on where they draft a quarterback. Anyone drafted on Day 2, which is the second and third rounds, could tip off that Lance is not going to stay with the 49ers for long. That is a fairly heavy investment to target a quarterback with one of those rounds. The 49ers have a plethora of picks on Day 2, so they can easily take Thompson-Robinson there since he is projected around Day 2 and 3.

Trading up by packaging some of those compensatory picks is also on the table if the 49ers see someone they like at quarterback. What also adds fuel to this possibility is the 49ers held a local pro day at Levi's Stadium on Wednesday. Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener, Stanford's Tanner McKee, and Houston's Ike Ogbogu were there, which can indicate the 49ers have their eye on these prospects. But they could all be taken later. 

If the 49ers do go later with Haener (similar physique and style as Purdy), McKee, Ogbogu or another, like fifth-round or later pick, then Lance is most likely safe. Those are measly picks that teams look to take fliers on for depth with the possibility of finding key role players. Of course, given the history of the 49ers under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, those are their money rounds. So just because they draft someone late, doesn't totally mean Lance is all good. 

Now, I don't see a scenario in which Lance gets traded during the draft or anytime soon after that. It makes no sense for the 49ers to do that. However, drafting a rookie opens the door for Lance to be traded around the trade deadline in October. Should Purdy return with zero setbacks and look fine, then that is certainly a scenario that can play out. The 49ers would just roll the rest of the season with Darnold as the backup and a rookie third stringer. This is why the draft status of a potential rookie quarterback matters. 

The higher the selection, the more eyebrow raising it becomes with the future of Lance.