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The NFL Draft’s first round features the most talented players, many of whom usually go on to become the league’s brightest stars. Yet, some teams still manage to locate late-round gems that eventually match or even surpass their initial draft rankings. The latter were in focus when the PFF ranked a list of the most valuable non-first-round NFL picks since 2016.
The ranking weighed a combination of cumulative performance, longevity, and draft slot in ranking the best players picked after the 32nd overall choice in a decade. While exceptional players shouldn’t surprise many, the franchise whose player tops the ranking has alarmed many fans. Despite many criticisms surrounding the qualities of the San Francisco 49ers’ recent drafts, the franchise’s 2022 non-first-round pick, Brock Purdy, tops PFF’s ranking.
Brock Purdy Beats Statistical Norms to Etch Name in NFL Draft History
The chances of finding a franchise quarterback beyond the first round are very slim. Even more, spotting one with the last pick in the draft is contrary to statistical norms. Yet, the 49ers managed to achieve this with Purdy in 2022.
Despite being practically unknown in 2022, Purdy has grown to become one of the brightest quarterbacks in the league. Over the last four years, the 26-year-old ranked ninth in PFF passing grade, with a joint ninth-fewest number of 60-turnover-worthy plays.
So spectacular is his outing that he bagged a five-year, $265 million extension last offseason. Despite being only 26, Purdy’s latest PFF ranking already etched his name in the annals of the league’s Day 3 picks.
Yet, there’s an intriguing twist to the ranking. Considering that many fans and pundits have criticized the 49ers for making less-than-stellar draft picks, Purdy’s No. 1 rank brought a ting of surprise. Rather than spotting brilliance in the nursery, the 49ers reportedly have more recent reputation for hosting older stars.
That said, the 49ers can revel in the presence of having two other (older) non-first-round picks in the top 10 ranking: 2018’s third-round pick Fred Warner and 2017’s fifth-round pick George Kittle. If anything, having three stars in the top-10 shows that the 49ers can draft well, but boast older stars
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The post Brock Purdy Tops PFF’s List of the Most Valuable Non-First-Round Picks Since 2016 appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
