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

It's no secret that Brock Purdy was one of the best NFL quarterbacks in 2023, but was his eye-popping success in his first full season a product of his natural talent or the playmakers around him?

While Purdy has many 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 latest column, Orlovsky ranked Purdy among the 10 best at the position in these five areas:

Ball placement

1. Joe Burrow, Bengals
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
4. Matthew Stafford, Rams
5. C.J. 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. C.J. 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 the football

1. Aaron Rodgers, Jets
2. Matthew Stafford, Rams
3. Joe Burrow, Bengals
4. C.J. 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

Pocket presence

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
2. Joe Burrow, Bengals
3. C.J. 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 ability

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 to 11 interceptions in 2023.

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The 24-year-old has been lauded for his quick decision-making, ball placement and improvability since he took over as San Francisco's starter midway through the 2022 season, but it appears, as Orlovsky points out, that Purdy possesses even more impressive traits.

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