Schefter Explains How 49ers Passing On Patrick Mahomes Led To Drafting Brock Purdy
The San Francisco 49ers’ decision to pass on Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL draft may have indirectly paved the way for the acquisition of quarterback Brock Purdy in 2022, according to insights shared by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
During that draft, the 49ers held the second overall pick, a position that could have seen them secure star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, as Schefter recounts, the 49ers made a curious decision not to invest significant efforts in evaluating Mahomes during the pre-draft process.
The reason behind this oversight, according to Schefter, was the 49ers’ conviction that Kirk Cousins would be leaving the Washington Football Team in the subsequent offseason. The organization believed Cousins would naturally choose to join the 49ers, rendering the need for in-depth quarterback analysis unnecessary.
The plot thickens when, as the offseason approaches, New England comes into play. The Patriots contacted San Francisco, expressing the need to part ways with Jimmy Garoppolo and proposing a trade for a second-round pick.
The 49ers, presented with this unexpected opportunity, agreed to the deal, disrupting the anticipated arrival of Kirk Cousins.
Returning to the 2017 draft, Schefter revealed that the 49ers’ comprehensive evaluation of quarterbacks was minimal, except for one unexpected outcome – they ended up trading up in the third round to select CJ Beathard.
