What does Brock Purdy have to do to earn some respect? Yes, he wasn’t supposed to be good. No Day 3 pick is supposed to be good. But after four seasons, he should’ve completely shaken that stigma off by now. Yet, despite producing each and every time he steps on the field, the 49ers QB remains a value in fantasy football.
Should You Draft Brock Purdy in Fantasy Football?
Like every Day 3 QB in the history of the NFL, Purdy was never supposed to start, or matter at all. He was forced into action as a rookie after both Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance suffered injuries. Immediately, he proved to be better than both of them.
Since then, all Purdy has done is produce. Although injuries limited him to just nine games last season, Purdy averaged 19.7 fantasy points per game. In three full seasons as a starter, Purdy has never finished lower than QB10.
Purdy is viewed as mostly a pocket passer who has enough mobility to survive in the modern NFL. Last season, though, he really put that on display with 17.2% of his fantasy points coming via rushing.
START PREPARING:PFN’s Fantasy Mock Draft Simulator
Over the past two seasons, Purdy is averaging 19.6 rushing yards per game. Add in his eight total rushing scores, and he’s giving fantasy managers just shy of an extra touchdown’s worth of production per game via the ground alone. Most impressively, Purdy does this despite playing on one of the slowest, most run-heavy offenses in the league.
Since 2024, the 49ers average a 54% neutral game script pass rate. That ranks 21st in the league over that span. They also average 29.9 seconds per play, the fourth slowest in the past two seasons combined.
Throughout his career as a starter, Purdy averages 29.6 pass attempts per game. He’s gotten by on efficiency, which tends to regress. However, Purdy has proven that due to the unique combination of the 49ers’ offense being high-powered, but slow-paced and run-heavy, that efficiency is sustainable. He’s posted a touchdown rate north of 7.0% in three of his four NFL seasons.
At this point, there should no longer be any questions about Purdy’s talent, or whether he is the 49ers’ long-term answer at quarterback.
Purdy’s Redraft Fantasy Football Value
In recent seasons, it’s been more viable to spent premium draft capital on a quarterback than during the 2010s. The rise of the mobile QB has resulted in the elite fantasy quarterbacks not only having higher ceilings, but being more predictable year over year.
Given how flat the wide receivers get once you get into the WR2 range, combined with running backs falling off a cliff around the fifth round, it’s more viable than usual to spend up for an elite QB. But the arguments in favor of late-round QB remain strong. Purdy is a reason why.
There are a number of quarterbacks relatively close in ADP, many of which have top-five upside, or close to it. Purdy probably doesn’t quite have it due to the lack of volume. But imagine a scenario where the 49ers fell apart defensively, and Purdy had to throw 35 passes a game. He absolutely has the ability and the supporting cast to get there.
MORE: Fantasy Football Injury Bounce-Back Candidates: Buy the Patrick Mahomes Dip
The 49ers may open the season without George Kittle, but he will return, likely within the first month. Christian McCaffrey is arguably the best receiving back in NFL history. Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk certainly aren’t the best talents at wide receiver, but they’re capable. And rookie De’Zhaun Stribling is a wild card who could be better in real life than fantasy.
All of this is to say Purdy has enough to be a QB1 once again. Yet, he’s being drafted around QB13. Yes, the price is a product of the other quarterbacks and the fact that they also have upside. But it doesn’t change the reality that Purdy’s price is at a point lower than he’s ever finished. This isn’t a player being drafted at his floor. This is a player being drafted beneath his floor.
We have Purdy ranked at QB13, which is in line with his ADP. But that ranking doesn’t preclude him from being someone fantasy managers should target. If you wait on quarterback, Purdy is one of the best options outside the top 12.
Purdy’s Dynasty Fantasy Football Value
Purdy checks in at QB12 in our dynasty rankings. While this also may feel low, remember that in dynasty, it’s more than just consistently finishing above perceived value. As talented as Purdy is, he hasn’t quite proven that he has a 22+ PPG season in him, whereas everyone above him either has or we think they can more so than Purdy.
With that said, Purdy is just 26 years old. While he’s dealt with more injuries than your typical quarterback, none of them are of the type that would be chronic or linger. They all look like bad luck.
TRADE NOW:PFN’s Dynasty Trade Calculator
Purdy missed a total of three games between the 2023 and 2024 seasons combined. He’s capable of playing full seasons. That, combined with the performance he’s put on the field, should have fantasy managers confident in him as at least a back-end QB for the foreseeable future.
Dynasty managers should feel comfortable with Purdy as their QB1 in Superflex formats. Those in need of a quarterback should give Purdy a long look as a potential trade target, as he is likely cheaper than several of his peers who perhaps have a bit more excitement surrounding them.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.