The San Francisco 49ers have had a strange offseason. After losing in overtime in the Super Bowl, the team fell apart last season due to a wave of injuries and inconsistent production. Many expected them to respond by reloading their roster and making big moves.
Instead, the 49ers have let several key players walk or be traded, including Dre Greenlaw and Deebo Samuel Sr. Some believe they’re clearing cap space to give Brock Purdy a massive payday.
Others think a full reset could be in the works. In the middle of those conversations, one analyst believes San Francisco could strike gold again — this time, with another late-round quarterback.
San Francisco 49ers Could Land Brock Purdy 2.0?
Brock Purdy shocked the league when he took over as the 49ers’ starter. As the final pick in the draft, he proved that Kyle Shanahan’s system could elevate plug-and-play quarterbacks. Purdy led the team to the NFC title game as a rookie, then took them to the Super Bowl in year two.
He’s since proven his value, finishing seventh last season in PFSN’s QB+ metric after earning MVP buzz the year prior. But with several key weapons now gone, the 49ers don’t appear eager to offer him a top-tier extension.
Instead, they could be looking to find another under-the-radar talent for Shanahan to mold. According to the latest mock draft from PFSN, the team could grab a quarterback in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
At pick No. 249, Ben Rolfe has the 49ers selecting Missouri’s Brady Cook. He’s widely projected as a Day 3 pick or possible undrafted free agent, but his athleticism and toughness give him potential as a valuable depth piece.
In his final three seasons at Missouri, Cook made a solid case as a dual-threat quarterback. In 2023, he threw for 3,317 yards and 21 touchdowns, while rushing for 319 yards and eight scores.
Across his five-year college career, Cook racked up 71 total touchdowns. However, scouts have raised concerns about his arm strength and overall throwing ability, which could limit his ceiling at the next level.
Still, he could be a long-term backup option for San Francisco. In his scouting report, PFSN’s Ian Cummings highlighted what Cook can offer as a safety net.
“Though he doesn’t have much appeal as a developmental starter, Cook’s athleticism, toughness, leadership ability, and baseline operational traits give him an appealing floor as a potential backup and safety blanket, especially for schemes that value QB rushing ability.”
Whether the 49ers are preparing for a future with or without Purdy, adding Cook could give them another shot at finding a gem late in the draft.
