The 2023 NFC Championship game features the biggest quarterback differences from this year’s playoffs.
That would be Eagles signal caller Jalen Hurts and his counterpart, 49ers rookie Brock Purdy (i.e. Mr. Irrelevant 2022). But the San Francisco signal caller was far from irrelevant as he led his team to the penultimate game of the season.
Should Purdy lead a win in Philadelphia to lead the 49ers to Super Bowl 57 in Glendale, Arizona, it would be one of the most unlikely runs to the big game in NFL history. His game this season is unparalleled: No rookie quarterback picked so late in the draft as Purdy has ever made such an immediate impact.
IYER: Purdy gave the 49ers his best result yet in the division’s dismal playoff win over Cowboys
His play this season has also shed light on the quarterbacks who came before him in the 2022 NFL Draft. Purdy was the ninth and final player at that position, which was considered one of the weakest in several years (hence the near-record low number of drafted quarterbacks). Several freshmen from his class were similarly compelled to act, albeit without the results Purdy produced.
The Sporting News picks up the 2022 NFL Draft and Quarterbacks before Purdy:
Who Were the Quarterbacks Before Brock Purdy in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Eight quarterbacks were selected ahead of Purdy in the 2022 NFL Draft. Only one — the Steelers’ Kenny Pickett — was taken in the first round. Where each of the eight was included in the draft:
| player | team | Round | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny Pickett | Steeler | 1 | 20 |
| Desmond Rider | hawks | 3 | 74 |
| Malik Willis | Titans | 3 | 86 |
| Matt Korral | Panthers | 3 | 94 |
| Bailey Zappe | patriots | 4 | 137 |
| Sam Howell | commanders | 5 | 144 |
| Chris Oladokun | Steeler | 7 | 241 |
| Skylar Thompson | dolphins | 7 | 247 |
| Brock Purdy | 49ers | 7 | 262 |
All but two quarterbacks prior to Purdy have started at least one game for their respective teams (Corral and Oladokun are the exceptions). Corral suffered a Lisfranc injury in a preseason game, forcing his season-ending placement on injured reserve. Oladokun was released by the Steelers on August 23, 2022. The Chiefs signed him to their practice team eight days later.
MORE: Thompson fulfilled ‘every kid’s dream’ despite playoff loss as Dolphins face uncertainty at QB
Pickett has played and started the most games among the rookies. He recorded action in 13 games (12 starts) and led the Steelers to a 7-5 record. Willis, Zappe and Thompson were forced into action due to injuries. Those three went 4-3 in seven starts in the regular season.
The only other rookie in the group to lead his team to the playoffs was Thompson, who was picked 15 spots ahead of Purdy by Miami. He earned the Dolphins a playoff berth with an 11-6 win over the Jets in Week 18 and almost led them to a wildcard win over the second-place Bills in the wildcard round a week later.
Records for the seven quarterbacks drafted in 2022 who played as rookies, ranked by draft position:
- Kenny Pickett: 7-5
- Desmond Riders: 2-2
- Malik Willis: 1-2
- Bailey Zappe: 2-0
- Sam Howell: 1-0
- Skylar Thompson: 1-2*
- Brock Purdy: 7-0*
* Includes playoffs
Where was Brock Purdy headed in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Purdy was Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft, meaning he was the last player selected (262nd overall). He was the ninth player selected by the 49ers in the draft.
The full list of 49ers draft picks in 2022:
| player | position | Round | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Jackson | OLB | 2 | 61 |
| Tyrion Davis Prize | RB | 3 | 93 |
| Danny Gray | WR | 3 | 105 |
| Spencer Burford | OIL | 4 | 134 |
| Samuel Womack | cb | 5 | 172 |
| Nick Sakelj | OIL | 6 | 187 |
| Kalia Davis | DT | 6 | 220 |
| Tariq Castro Fields | cb | 6 | 221 |
| Brock Purdy | QB | 7 | 262 |