As the 2022 NFL Draft approached, no one could have foreseen the trajectory San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy would take. Not even the 49ers themselves, who selected him as the last overall pick, ensuring he wouldn't sign elsewhere as an undrafted free agent.
Purdy proved all his critics wrong. The second-year quarterback boasts an impressive 17-4 record as a starter, not including his four playoff victories. His 4,280 passing yards this season set a single-season franchise record, and his 113.0 passer rating led the NFL. Purdy is a finalist for the coveted NFL MVP award. Most importantly, the 24-year-old has the 49ers within one victory of the organization's sixth Super Bowl championship.
Purdy has done everything necessary to silence his critics. However, many still cling to the narrative that Purdy is a "game manager" or "system quarterback," downplaying his accomplishments by crediting the playmakers around him and head coach Kyle Shanahan's scheme over the quarterback's talent. They would prefer you believe that Purdy is merely along for the ride rather than him being a key reason why the 49ers are on the cusp of adding another Lombardi to their trophy case.
The 49ers quarterback is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into Super Bowl 58, going from "Mr. Irrelevant" to potential Super Bowl champion. Most NFL fans now know Purdy's name, as opposed to April of 2022, when analysts and experts weren't quite sure how the quarterback would fit into the NFL.
Below is what some draft analysts and experts wrote about Purdy before the 2022 NFL Draft. Most believed that if Purdy worked hard, his ceiling might be as a capable NFL backup. The quarterback's story serves as a testament to the challenges of identifying talent in the draft.
Four-year starter who was never able to improve upon a stellar sophomore campaign. Purdy is a burly pocket quarterback who needs a play-action based offense where he can rely on timing over release quickness and arm strength. He can be a confident passer when he finds his rhythm, but throwing is more of a chore than a talent thanks to a labored release. Certain areas of the field will be off limits as he moves up to take on NFL coverage talent. He's a scrappy runner but not dynamic enough to make up for his shortcomings as a passer.
The Draft Network:
Brock Purdy has put together a stellar NFL resume that started in 2018 when he was named the starter midway into his freshman season. Since 2018, Purdy has received several awards including Big 12 True Freshman of the Year (2018), Manning Award Semifinalist (2020), Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist (2019, 2020), and First Team All-Big 12 (2020). Purdy excels at getting rid of the ball quickly to receivers that are in his first progression. Purdy is also athletic enough to keep the ball on a QB option play to pick up first downs. The area that Purdy struggles is in the deeper portion of the field, where his lack of true arm strength prevents him from consistently being able to get the ball to his receivers. In the NFL, Purdy is a prospect that will be best steved in an offense that doesn't have to push the ball vertically, but an offense that would rather the quarterback get the ball out of his hands quickly on short-to-intermediate routes.
Charlie Campbell of Walter Football:
To start out on the positive, Purdy is an efficient rhythm passer who makes very good decisions overall. He is accurate in the short to intermediate part of the field, throwing a very catchable ball with nice touch. Purdy does a good job of taking what the defense gives him, and he moves the chains through moderate completions. In the pocket, Purdy hangs tough and does not get rattled by the rush coming down around him. With his poise helping him to stay on schedule, Purdy uses nice anticipation to read coverage and distribute the ball.
On the negative side, Purdy does not have a powerful arm and he is not a mobile running threat. Regularly, Purdy can struggle to avoid pass rushers and blitzes. He is not the dual-threat type who is en vogue in the NFL, and his ability to avoid defenders is going to get exposed further by the speed and athleticism of professionals. Purdy is on the short side and seeing the field well could be challenging for him at the next level.
While Purdy does not have a starter's skill set, he could develop into being a solid pro backup. Purdy looks like a mid-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he could easily go in the early rounds of Day 3.
Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network:
Purdy is a legitimate NFL Draft prospect. However, what's up for debate is what kind of upside he possesses and where he should ultimately go. Physical traits rest on a spectrum, and Purdy is on the right side of that spectrum. He has above-average athleticism and an above-average arm. Still, neither of those traits are elite. In fact, one could argue that Purdy has no elite traits.
Thus, while Purdy has some measured upside, his NFL ceiling isn't astronomically high. If Purdy can improve his ball placement, decision-making under pressure, and overall consistency, he could enter the early rounds. Yet, right now, Purdy is likely an early-to-mid Day 3 prospect.
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network:
Positives: Playmaking college quarterback who is patient, remains poised in the pocket, and goes through progressions. Quickly locates open wideouts, uses all his targets, and spreads the ball around. Puts touch on throws when necessary and flashes the ability to drop deep passes into the receiver's hands.
Possesses outstanding field vision, improvises when plays break down, and occasionally looks like a magician with the football. Elusive, escapes the rush, and picks up yardage carrying the ball when necessary.
Negatives: Lacks a big-time arm and cannot drive deep throws, which results in lost opportunities. Lacks pocket stature. Sprays throws and is often high of the mark when he tries to put extra speed on passes. Struggles getting the ball downfield and through tight windows.
Analysis: Purdy is an intelligent quarterback who makes good decisions and is accurate in the short and intermediate field. His lack of size and arm strength poses limitations. Still, Purdy could be a competent backup on Sundays.