Brock Purdy has defied the odds as the final pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the yearly selection dubbed Mr. Irrelevant. He’s already started nine games in his career, including three postseason contests, doing everything he can to secure the title of being the 49ers’ franchise quarterback.
Matthew Stafford entered the NFL on the opposite end of the draft spectrum. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft and has gone on to start 199 games in his career. His 200th on Sunday will come with a little bit of odd history.
According to Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network, it will be the first time a quarterback taken No. 1 overall squares off against a quarterback taken with the last pick in the draft. This checks out because Purdy is one of just two quarterbacks taken with the final pick to appear in an NFL game, with Chad Kelly being the other.
Sunday's @49ers – @RamsNFL game will mark the first time we've ever seen a QB taken #1 overall in the @NFL Draft face a QB selected with the last overall pick.
via @NFLResearch
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 13, 2023
This will be Purdy’s first time facing the Rams, as he was inactive for both meetings last season. Stafford has played against the 49ers five times since joining Los Angeles, going 1-4 in those contests – though, his one win was in the NFC title game, so that counts a bit more.
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