2 weeks Ago By Billy Heyen
The San Francisco 49ers had an outside chance of shocking the NFL and drafting a quarterback. They might still get someone in the later rounds, but even amid the Shedeur Sanders slide, they've held firm in a singular approach. This is a defensive draft through and through for the 49ers.
Their first four picks have been defensive linemen Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins, linebacker Nick Martin and cornerback Upton Stout. That leaves the offense up to one man: Brock Purdy. And given Purdy's attendance at this week's offseason program and the lack of QB interest in the draft, the 49ers have signaled one thing: Purdy will be getting paid.
MORE: George Kittle gets $77 million contract update Purdy is likely going to get a deal in the six-year, $300 million range, which would come out to $50 million per season. If he gets above $51 million, he'd be the 10th-highest paid QB in the NFL. Jalen Hurts currently holds that mantle right on the $51 million marker.
MORE: Bills' draft picks haven't been flashy but instead designed to beat the Chiefs There is a case to be made that San Francisco should be drafting some skill players or offensive linemen to help their soon-to-be uber-rich quarterback. But instead, the 49ers are prioritizing defense in the draft knowing that a huge chunk of their salary cap will officially be going to offense (and maybe to George Kittle, too). SN's NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available Nothing is a sure thing, of course.
But Purdy is a potential franchise QB, albeit a mid-tier one. Teams usually can't afford to let those guys get away, even if the cost of keeping them around works out to being quite steep. MORE NFL DRAFT: Raiders' Jack Bech draft pick honors brother Tiger after death The crazy Shedeur Sanders college football rumor Shedeur Sanders compared to Colin Kaepernick Unthinkable Shedeur-Shilo Sanders moment approaching The 3 reasons Shedeur Sanders hasn't been drafted yet A wild Shedeur Sanders-Bronny James stat Patriots' TreVeyon Henderson pick is perfect complement to Drake Maye Bears' Luther Burden has best recruiting pedigree in entire draft Saints' Tyler Shough age question is odd draft pick ahead of Shedeur Sanders Jets draft son of division rival's Hall of Famer Cardinals land top-10 talent at No.
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