Where Raiders QB Derek Carr ranks in the NFL after free agency

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 12: (L-R) Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders greets Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs before the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 12: (L-R) Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders greets Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs before the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 02: Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Levi’s Stadium on January 02, 2022, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 02: Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Levi’s Stadium on January 02, 2022, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Ranking every starting quarterback in the NFL after 2022 Free Agency

The 49ers’ golden goose, San Francisco paid a hefty price to move up and select him in last year’s draft with the third overall pick. Hailing from North Dakota State and playing just one game his final year in college, Lance was always going to need some time on the bench to adjust to NFL speed.

Luckily, the 49ers could afford him this opportunity as he started just two games in 2021. In those games, Lance looked the part with 603 passing yards, five touchdowns, and just two interceptions. Proficient as a runner as well he added 168 yards and another score on the ground.

Highly likely to take the job from Jimmy Garoppolo in 2022, Lance could quite possibly be the transformative piece the offense needs. Similar to when Patrick Mahomes took over for Alex Smith in Kansas City, the 49ers’ offense is loaded but will need a quarterback with Lance’s talent to unlock its true potential. He could be a sneaky bet for MVP if he is named the starter in week one.

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