The 49ers had much different quarterback plans for the 2022 NFL season than starting rookie seventh-round pick Brock Purdy in Week 14. Little did they know that drafting the former Iowa State offensive leader with the No. 262 and final overall selection has become very relevant.
Purdy was supposed to a developmental backup at first, but he has been thrust into the No. 1 role with Jimmy Garoppolo (left foot) lost for at least the rest of the regular season. Garoppolo was filling in well for Trey Lance (right ankle), who went down in Week 2. San Francisco coaches and players now believe Purdy will deliver as the necessary next man up.
Purdy was the seventh QB to be become "Mr. Irrelevant" as the last pick in the draft. He is the first former Cyclones QB to be drafted since Seneca Wallace went in the fourth round at No. 110 overall to the Seahawks in 2003.
MORE: Meet Brock Purdy, Mr. Irrelevant 2022 thrust into 49ers' QB1 role after Jimmy Garoppolo injury
So what led 49ers' braintrust, led by GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan to take Purdy? Here's revisiting their fortuitous draft pick:
Why did Brock Purdy draw NFL interest for his play at Iowa State?
Purdy was the program's most prolific passer ever. He was a consistent and super-efficient four-year starter in the same offense, a rarity in the modern college football landscape. He excelled playing with Jets rookie running back Breece Hall in a strong rushing attack and throwing to Ravens rookie Charlie Kolar often in the passing game.
Purdy showed good accuracy and a nice deep arm, but his underrated appealing assets were his smarts and mobility. Scouts liked the foundation and intangibles, but were concerned that his mechanics and delivery would be obstacles against stiffer NFL defenses. The physical and mental skills were enough to put him on the late draft watch.
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Who was drafted ahead of Brock Purdy in 2022?
There were nine QBs selected, starting with Kenny Pickett at No. 20 overall in the first round. The Steelers also took Chris Oladokun at No. 241 overall in the seventh round.
The second seventh-rounder selected before Purdy was Skylar Thompson, the Dolphins No. 247 overall pick. Desmond Ridder (Falcons), Malik Willis (Titans) and Matt Corral (Panthers) all went in the third round. Bailey Zappe (Patriots) went in the fourth and Sam Howell (Commanders) was picked in the fifth.
Pickett has been the only one getting regular starts. Willis and Zappe had to fill in for an injured Ryan Tannehill and Mac Jones, respectively. Purdy will get his first starting shot in vs. the Buccaneers, while the Falcons announced Desmond Ridder will replace Marcus Mariota in Week 15 at the Saints.
Why did the 49ers need to draft Brock Purdy?
The 49ers didn't retain former backups C.J. Beathard (now with the Jaguars) and Nick Mullens (now with the Vikings) in the 2021 offseason. Before the 49ers traded up to No. 3 overall in that draft to take Trey Lance with Garoppolo still set to start, they signed Nate Sudfeld for some veteran insurance. Sudfeld ended up on the practice squad as the team was comfortable with Lance making fill-in starts when needed, which he did twice.
It looked like the team would be moving Garoppolo early in the 2022 offseason with Lance elevated to starter and Sudfeld becoming the No. 2. But given the 49ers were lukewarm on Sudfeld's reserve value, it made sense they were in the market for another QB option after not adding another veteran in free agency with Garoppolo still on the team.
With Lance, the 49ers weren't about to use a Day 1 or 2 pick on a QB. In the fourth round, San Francisco opted for offensive lineman Spencer Burford over Zappe and Howell, an important move given Burford is the team's starting right guard as a rookie. Neither Oladokun nor Thompson had the same seasoned profile as Purdy, making him more sense as potential new No. 2 for the 49ers.
Purdy beat out Sudfeld for a roster spot in training camp and the preseason. Keeping him was a decision made easier by Garoppolo returning on a one-year deal to guarantee there would be the ultimate experience behind Lance.
MORE: A short list of Mr. Irrelevant QBs
How did Brock Purdy pop on the 49ers' draft radar?
Before he was hired to be the Jaguars' assistant GM in the spring, Ethan Waugh was the 49ers' director of college scouting. Well ahead of Iowa State's pro day last March when Purdy, Hall and Kolar all boosted their stock, Waugh checked out the Cyclones' offense in a home game vs. Louisiana in 2020.
Just like Hall's running style was ideal for a Shanahan zone-blocking system — thus the drafting by Mike LaFleur, Robert Saleh and Jets No. 36 overall in the second round — Purdy and Kolar also were in the purview for good fits in that pro offense. When Sporting News talked to 49ers tight end George Kittle, an Iowa product, during Super Bowl 56 week this February, he revealed how much he liked Kolar's talent, despite being a Cyclone.
Why are the 49ers so confident in Brock Purdy?
The 49ers' only quarterback move after Garoppolo's injury was adding journeyman Josh Johnson. They didn't clam former Panthers and Browns starter Baker Mayfield or pursue any other viable starting alternative.
Bringing back Garoppolo was a boon for Purdy, because with Lance done for the season early, Garoppolo could offer his mentoring more to Purdy. Garoppolo is well respected as a leader by example. He also was in position to help Purdy, the unquestioned No. 2, accelerate his absorbing of the offense. Had Lance remained the starter and Garoppolo left, Purdy's development would have been slower.
Purdy (6-1, 220 pounds) was being prepped well as a pocket-passing proxy for Garoppolo (6-2, 225 pounds). With the 49ers' elite offensive line, top-notch running game with Christian McCaffrey and great receiving weapons including Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, Purdy has plenty of support for quick success.
