San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy believes that NFL evaluators overlooked key aspects of his game, such as his experience and leadership, when he was overlooked in the 2022 NFL Draft. Purdy, who was selected with the final pick in the seventh round and earned the nickname "Mr. Irrelevant," shared his perspective on a recent podcast.
"I don’t know if it was the height. ‘If he’s short, and can he run really fast?’ Or Does he have an extremely strong arm? What’s the trait? I don’t know if my college tape necessarily showed all those flashy things that some of these high draft picks show," Purdy said on former NFL coach Jason Garrett’s “Coach 2 Coach Podcast.”
Purdy suggested that evaluators may have missed his experience in situational football, his processing of the game, and his ability to lead. He stated that if teammates at Iowa State were asked about him as a leader, "maybe that’s something that was overlooked." He maintains that these traits translated effectively to the NFL level once he received an opportunity.
Throughout his college career at Iowa State, Purdy demonstrated a strong ability to process the game and lead his team. Despite not possessing the typically highlighted physical traits sought by some NFL scouts, such as exceptional height or arm strength, Purdy has proven his capabilities as the 49ers' starting quarterback. His performance has been crucial for the team as they pursue their goal of winning a Super Bowl.
Purdy also identified knowing oneself and being a competitor as essential traits for a quarterback. "I think someone who knows who they are… You’re gonna face so much playing the position of quarterback, good and bad. And a guy who knows who they are, who’s a competitor… I feel like those are the guys that have lasted long,” he commented when asked about the most important quarterback traits.