Where Orlovsky ranks 49ers’ Purdy among top NFL QB traits

Where Orlovsky ranks 49ers’ Purdy among NFL’s best QBs Originally appeared in NBC Bay Area Sports

It’s no secret that Brock Purdy was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in 2023, but was his surprising success in his first full season a product of his natural talent or the players around him?

While Purdy has plenty of weapons in coach Kyle Shanahan’s dominant offense, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky believes some of Purdy’s physical and mental traits are among the best in the league.

In His last columnOrlovsky ranked Purdy in the top 10 at the position in these five areas:

Placing the ball

1. Joe Burrow, Bengals

2. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

4. Matthew Stafford, Rams

5. CJ Stroud, Texans

6. Brock Purdy, 49ers

7. Geno Smith, Seahawks

8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

9. Jared Goff, Lions

10. Josh Allen, Bills

Mechanics

1. Joe Burrow, Bengals

2. Matthew Stafford, Rams

3. Justin Herbert, Chargers

4. CJ Stroud, Texans

5. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

6. Jared Goff, Lions

7. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

8. Aaron Rodgers, Jets

9. Brock Purdy, 49ers

10. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars

Decision making with football

1. Aaron Rodgers, Jets

2. Matthew Stafford, Rams

3. Joe Burrow, Bengals

4. CJ Stroud, Texans

5. Brock Purdy, 49ers

6. Jordan Love, Packers

7. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

9. Jared Goff, Lions

10. Kirk Cousins, Falcons

Presence in the pocket

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

2. Joe Burrow, Bengals

3. CJ Stroud, Texans

4. Matthew Stafford, Rams

5. Lamar Jackson, Ravens

6. Brock Purdy, 49ers

7. Jordan Love, Packers

8. Josh Allen, Bills

9. Geno Smith, Seahawks

10. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

Second reaction capacity

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

2. Josh Allen, Bills

3. Lamar Jackson, Ravens

4. Brock Purdy, 49ers

5. Jordan Love, Packers

6. Caleb Williams, Bears

7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

8. Jalen Hurts, Eagles

9. Gardner Minshew, Raiders

10. Justin Herbert, Chargers

Purdy completed 308 of 444 pass attempts (69.4 percent) for 4,280 passing yards and 31 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 2023.

The 24-year-old has been praised for his quick decision-making, ball placement and ability to improve since taking over as San Francisco’s starter midway through the 2022 season, but it appears, as Orlovsky notes, that Purdy possesses even more impressive traits.

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