In the first playoff start of his career, rookie Brock Purdy — the 262nd and final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft — came out firing. And, more often than not, missing.
After thriving in the short-target, big gain offense upon which the San Francisco 49ers have long relied to prop up Jimmy Garoppolo, Purdy tried to blow up the Seattle Seahawks on the opening drive of his Wild Card debut. During the regular season, a stretch in which the former third-string QB went 5-0, Purdy’s 6.6 air yards per target ranked 33rd among 37 quarterbacks with at least 200 plays under their belt. San Francisco’s game plan was clear; set up an overwhelmed passer with easy throws, then let his playmakers carve out space after the catch.
