SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The pre-draft scouting reports were clear: Iowa State quarterback
Brock Purdy has a lot of terrific qualities, but the long ball isn’t one of them.
“Ball needs to come out sooner on deep-ball shots,” NFL.com’s analysis read. The “weaknesses” section of
The Athletic’s report included this: “Arm strength is mediocre, especially when he doesn’t incorporate his base or hips.”
In his first three starts, however, Purdy has been accurate all over the field, including when he’s gone far down the field. He’s completed four of six attempts in which the ball traveled 20 or more yards, one of the highest percentages in the league, and all four of those completions have resulted in touchdowns. To put that in perspective,
Jimmy Garoppolo started 10 games this season and has eight completions of 20 yards or more with one touchdown, according to Pro Football Focus.
Purdy’s deep-ball numbers include a 34-yard bomb to
George Kittle in the third quarter Saturday, the decisive score in the
49ers’ 37-20 win over the
Commanders.