If the San Francisco 49ers could have a do-over, they'd certainly do almost anything else but select quarterback Trey Lance at No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Thankfully, if we can refer to it as such, the folks over at Pro Football Network are theoretically giving the Niners that chance in a recent redraft of the 2021 first-round class.
Instead of Lance, who lasted in San Francisco just over two seasons after starting a mere four games as a flamed-out franchise centerpiece, PFN tabs an offensive tackle to the 49ers who'd bookend with future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams.
Oregon's Penei Sewell.
Here's PFN's justification:
"Penei Sewell has developed into arguably the best right tackle in the entire NFL. Imagine what a 49ers offensive line would look like with him on one end and Trent Williams and the other. It would be a complete nightmare for opposing defenses."
That sounds fine and all. Sewell, who ultimately went to the Detroit Lions at No. 7 overall, is now a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro. Niners fans can only imagine what an offensive line comprising both Williams and Sewell might look like.
But there's a glaring problem with this selection, one PFN probably didn't consider (or intentionally omitted for simplicity).
49ers never would have traded up for Penei Sewell
Remember, San Francisco aggressively traded up not long before the 2021 draft to get to No. 3 overall, sending away the 12th overall pick in the round along with two future Round 1 selections and an additional second-rounder.
Those kinds of deals are for quarterbacks. And that's precisely what the 49ers were aiming to do back in 2021 in light of their then-starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, falling out of favor.
Putting things bluntly, the Niners never would have traded up from No. 12 overall for an offensive lineman, even someone of Sewell's caliber.
Lance ultimately was a bust, of course, but the disaster of a move was somewhat alleviated by the rise of the following year's final draft pick, quarterback Brock Purdy, who recently cashed in as one of the league's highest-paid players.
Sure, it's nitpicking a redraft that likely didn't take into account any first-round trades when looked at.
But, in light of "what ifs?" and "should haves," any 2021 redraft wholly wouldn't have San Francisco making such an aggressive move.
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