Why Brock Purdy fell to 49ers in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft

It's been a … Purdy good start to Brock Purdy's NFL career.

"Mr. Irrelevant" is irrelevant no more, with the 49ers quarterback putting together a few competent performances to help mitigate the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo (and Trey Lance). That has led to some questions: How exactly did Purdy fall to the very last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft?

Purdy had something of a storied, winding and confusing college career. At one point, he was considered a first-round prospect. Inconsistencies and a general lack of improvement in college led to Purdy falling way, way down draft boards in 2022.

Now, with injuries to both Lance and Garoppolo, Purdy has been catapulted from No. 262 in the draft to No. 1 on the depth chart.

MORE: A short list of Mr. Irrelevant QBs — Purdy already might be best of bunch

Here's why Purdy fell — and maybe landed in the perfect spot. 

Brock Purdy scouting report

The 2022 NFL Draft was a bit lighter on the QB side. Just nine quarterbacks were selected in total, which was the fewest taken in a draft since 2015 (seven).

That said, there were several intriguing projects and passers who fell in the draft, Purdy included.

Despite a solid college career at Iowa State under Matt Campbell, Purdy couldn't quite build on a stellar sophomore season that launched him in discussions to be a first-round pick in 2020. 

Purdy opted to stay in college through his senior season, perhaps in hopes of upping his draft stock. That didn't happen, but given the 49ers' scheme relies less on physical tools and more on smarts and decision-making, he might have ended up in the perfect hands.

Scouting reports pegged Purdy for, generally, these strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths

— Rhythm passer.

— Good pocket passer.

— Solid decision-maker, tends to avoid the turnover.

— Accurate to short- and intermediate-windows.

— Good build, though not ideal.

Weaknesses

— Not the strongest arm.

— Not very mobile and may have difficulties avoiding pass rush.

— Not the ideal size/height for an NFL quarterback (6-1).

— Mechanically unsound; takes long to set up in the pocket, throwing motion is mechanical.

Ultimately, scouts comped Purdy to the Case Keenums and Colt McCoys as the world, as a solid-but-unspectacular backup QB. That's the level to which he's played so far through limited snaps with the 49ers.

2022 NFL Draft

There were 261 selections before Purdy in the 2022 NFL Draft — if you want to see the full results, they're here for your viewing pleasure — but there were only eight quarterbacks selected overall in the draft.

Here's who went in front of Purdy: 

Kenny Pickett (1st round/20th overall, Steelers): Pickett was considered by many to be the top overall passer in this year's draft, as he was the most polished and pro-ready QB.

Desmond Ridder (3/74, Falcons): Ridder's ceiling was considered to be a game-manager at the next level. Only fitting that he found a seat behind the NFL's preeminent game-manager, Marcus Mariota.

Malik Willis (3/86, Titans): Willis was one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in this year's draft, but faced questions of how he would translate from the college scheme he operated to the pros. Willis is getting something of a redshirt year behind Ryan Tannehill, only stepping in when the veteran was injured earlier this season.

Matt Corral (3/94, Panthers): Corral was likened to Baker Mayfield, with a big arm and quick release, but questions about his frame and maturity (and his gunslinger mentality) had him slip to Day 2. He suffered a season-ending foot injury in the preseason. 

Bailey Zappe (4/137, Patriots): Out of Western Kentucky, Zappe was productive in college in a high-volume passing attack, but eyes were opened that he went this high in the draft — and to a team that took a QB in the first round the prior season.

Sam Howell (5/144, Commanders): Another quarterback who at one point was getting first-round love, Howell somehow fell all the way to the fifth round following a good-not-great junior season with the Tar Heels. Questions over mechanics and pro-readiness led to his fall.

Chris Oladokun (7/241): Oladokun was taken by the Steelers, but waived and wound up with the Chiefs practice squad.

Skylar Thompson (7/247, Dolphins): Thompson made waves for his stellar preseason this year — but it was preseason, after all. Thompson's age (25) and his wishy-washy play had some wondering if he would be drafted. He was, but it was a close shave.