What a difference some preseason action and 11 regular-season quarters makes.
NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah was in lockstep with the rest of the larger NFL draft community in putting Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy down his list of QBs in the 2022 draft. Now based on what he’s seen from Purdy in the pros, he’s putting the 49ers firmly in the Super Bowl conversation.
“The NFC, it just feels like we are on a Philadelphia and San Francisco collision course. And that’s gonna decide it,” Jeremiah said in an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show.
Jeremiah explained how he went back and had to scroll down near the bottom of his pre-draft rankings to even find Purdy to see what exactly he thought of the QB while watching his college tape.
While his tape didn’t necessarily blow Jeremiah away, there were a few traits that are translating right away and helping him have success in the 49ers’ offense.
“I look at my notes on him, he’s tough, he’s competitive, he’s accurate. Those are the things that you like about him,” Jeremiah said. “I thought the skill set, the tools were very average. Didn’t have a big arm, he’s not a huge athlete – not a big guy, he’s under 6-1. I think it was like, 19 touchdowns, eight picks – even statistically it didn’t blow you away. But he started over 40 games, he was tough, and he was accurate. And when you look at what Shanahan’s asking him to do – I mean the shot chart the other day, I think he started out 11 for 11 or 11 for 12 – the ball never went more than 15 yards down the field. It’s just identify where the guy is and get the ball out to him. Make it really, really easy. And he’s done that, and he’s playing at a high level.”
The key for the quarterback position in San Francisco hasn’t been about ceiling the last few years though. It’s been whether the quarterback can play well enough to let the run game and defense lead the way. That’s something Jeremiah believes the rookie seventh-round pick can do with the 49ers.
“The defense is so good, and they’ve got so many weapons, and they can run the ball, and the offensive line is good,” Jeremiah said. “I mean, what can Jimmy Garoppolo do that got to a Super Bowl and almost won a Super Bowl, that Brock Purdy can’t do? I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do that Jimmy does. So that’s why they’re a legitimate Super Bowl contender.”
This is why the 49ers opted to keep Purdy as their third QB instead of the veteran Nate Sudfeld. His poise and accuracy allowed him to step in right away and steer the ship for a San Francisco offense that doesn’t require much from the QB to be successful.
Purdy needs to avoid negative plays and convert on third downs. He’s done that so far, and as long as he continues doing it, it’s hard to argue with Jeremiah’s conclusion that Purdy can take the 49ers on another Super Bowl run.
