Since the 49ers drafted Brock Purdy 262nd overall in 2022, much has changed. After leading San Francisco to back-to-back NFL postseason berths and Super Bowl LVIII, the 24-year-old quarterback has shed the Mr. Irrelevant reputation of being the draft's final pick.
Before becoming a 2023 NFL MVP finalist, Purdy was merely a name on the 49ers' draft board and a player they valued enough to choose with their final choice. General manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan couldn't have foreseen Purdy's success, but their uplifting draft-day call showed they spotted something unique in the young signal-caller.
"I'm sorry it took 'til the end, but we find you very relevant -- but you are going to be Mr. Irrelevant," Lynch said. "All right, man? We're glad you're here, OK? We're excited.
"Brock, congrats dude," Shanahan told Purdy. This is a great opportunity for you. We adored you on tape, guy. You play the position well, yet today is awful for you." Purdy thanked Shanahan and said he was "ready to roll"—and he was.
Purdy impressed the 49ers in training camp as a rookie before the 2022 NFL season, earning a spot on the 53-man roster as the third-string quarterback behind Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. Purdy took over after both quarterbacks got hurt.
Shanahan indicated during '22 camp that Purdy was their third-best quarterback, therefore his promotion to starting quarterback was certainly expected.
The circumstance was perfect, and the rest is history. Fewer than two years later, Purdy holds the 49ers' single-season passing yards record, breaking many franchise and NFL marks, and the team is poised to win its sixth Super Bowl.
Purdy and the 49ers want to win in Las Vegas next week, but drafting a franchise quarterback with the final choice might be one of the best draft steals ever.
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