Whether starting his NFL career as Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft or constantly being labeled as a “system quarterback”, Brock Purdy has been underestimated from the very beginning.
In fantasy football leagues, he is also undervalued, always ranked in the mid-tier QB1/QB2 range by most analysts and fans.
But Purdy’s ranking and evaluations don’t match his production and efficiency. He is one of the best players and biggest profits at the quarterback position in fantasy football, and his stats show it.
The Fantasy Football Quarterback Market
As of now, Purdy’s average draft position is sitting around the 80-90 spot. This is low for one of the safest quarterbacks in the league.
Several factors contribute to this perception, including media narratives such as the aforementioned “system quarterback” title, few rushing attempts, and being carried by Kyle Shanahan’s offenses, which have typically been loaded with weapons.
However, during his last few seasons, he has ranked amongst the top quarterbacks in points per game. In 2023, he finished sixth, averaging 19.2 fantasy points per game. While last season he only played nine games, he averaged 20.8 points in those contests, which was fifth among all QBs.
If only looking at the points per game stats for fantasy football, Purdy should be considered with names that are going multiple rounds ahead of him.
Purdy is Efficient and Consistent
Purdy may not be the flashiest or most eye-opening quarterback like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, who are always the QBs off the board. However, what Brock Purdy does have is continuous efficiency when healthy.
For example, his true passer rating last season was 106.0, ranked sixth in the NFL, and his QBR, at 72.8, was second in the league to just Drake Maye. Additionally, he led the NFL in first-down rate at 44.5%.
Fantasy managers often prioritize quarterbacks with rushing upside and deep passing throws. But Purdy’s value comes from his ability to sustain drives and avoid negative plays.
Purdy Is in the Most Quarterback-Friendly Situation
NFL media and fans widely recognized that the 49ers have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL when healthy. This is especially true when talking about their offensive schemes and weapons.
With teammates like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Mike Evans, and early-second-round pick De’Zhaun Stribling now in the mix, it would be hard for anyone not to play at a high level; the same is true for Purdy.
Also, having a head coach and offensive guru like Shanahan helps drastically. His scheme utilizes motions, YAC creation, and play-action-heavy designs.
The stats also show why having a good team is important. Purdy’s time-to-throw of 3.02 seconds, which ranked third, paired with his yards-after-catch stat of 9.1, which ranked sixth, paired well together last season to boost his fantasy stats.
Having a good supporting cast around a quarterback always helps them in fantasy football, which is why guys like Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, and Dak Prescott tend to be successful more often than not.
Potential Risks and Limitations with Brock Purdy
Even though Purdy is on the field playing efficiently and consistently, there is always that one concern: injuries.
Like most of the 49ers’ roster, injuries remain the primary concern for Purdy. Having toe, elbow, shoulder, and head injuries has set him back in his career.
But even when Purdy stays healthy, it seems there are always injuries elsewhere on offense to guys like Kittle, McCaffrey, Pearsall, and many more that no fantasy owner likes to see.
Along with that, Brock Purdy doesn’t have the biggest rushing upside, unlike players like Allen and Jackson, who many fantasy owners tend to favor. His limitations on the ground are a big part of why Purdy always falls down the tier lists.
Ultimately, Purdy’s risk profile centers more on durability and supporting‑cast health than on performance. If he and the 49ers can put together a healthy season, Purdy will certainly finish the season as a great pick, no matter where fantasy owners take him.
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