Trying to rank Brock Purdy in the NFL quarterback hierarchy has become an exercise in semantics. Statistically he’s one of the best signal callers in the league. From a pure talent standpoint he falls short of some of the bigger, faster, stronger QBs in the league. His ranking will typically depend on what the ranker values.
In ESPN’s survey of NFL coaches, scouts and executives, Purdy falls just outside the top 10, and was listed first among the honorable mentions. The comments from executives interviewed for the piece reflect why it’s difficult to place Purdy exactly.
Via ESPN:
“It’s hard to call him top 10 based on the guys ahead of him, but it’s hard to keep him out of the top 10, too,” an NFC executive said. “He willed that team to the Super Bowl. Only right to give him serious consideration.”
As far as game-planning, Purdy has more limitations than some of the quarterbacks ahead of him, according to multiple evaluators.
“He’s very good at navigating the pocket, buying time, using his legs — you’re not going to win because of him in most cases,” a separate NFC exec said. “He’s a really good system quarterback.”
And this is why the Purdy ranking conversation has become largely two groups shouting into different voids. The group that believes Purdy isn’t top 10 is going to rely on hypothetical worlds where his coach or teammates are different. The group that thinks he lands where his stats say he lands (comfortably top 10) isn’t concerned with anything beyond what’s immediately in front of them.
Those two arguments don’t mix. And for that reason the Purdy discourse is likely interminable.
The good news for the 49ers is that online rankings matter less than on-field production. As long as Purdy continues producing at the level he did last season the 49ers will be in the Super Bowl conversation. And the longer they’re in the Super Bowl conversation the harder it will be to justify keeping Purdy out of the top of whatever QB rankings are out.