The 2022 NFL Draft: An Analysis of "Mr. Irrelevant"

 The 2022 NFL Draft saw a number of talented players selected by teams hoping to add the missing pieces to their rosters. However, there was one player who was selected at the very end of the draft that caught the attention of fans and experts alike. This player was dubbed "Mr. Irrelevant," a title given to the last player selected in the draft. In 2022, "Mr. Irrelevant" was quarterback Brock Purdy.

At the time of the draft, the San Francisco 49ers already had two quality quarterbacks on their roster, including 2021 third-overall pick Trey Lance and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. Many believed that Purdy would not see any meaningful action with the team. However, fate had other plans. Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week Two against the Seattle Seahawks, and Garoppolo injured his foot and was also done for the season 10 weeks later. The 49ers' Super Bowl hopes then fell on the shoulders of Purdy, the 262nd overall pick.

Purdy had to make his first career start against none other than Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he proved to be up to the challenge, as the 49ers easily defeated the Buccaneers 35-7. Purdy won each of his five regular-season starts, throwing 13 touchdowns against only four interceptions. He continued his impressive play in the postseason, helping the 49ers pass the Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys en route to an NFC Championship Game appearance.

Unfortunately, Purdy suffered a UCL injury in the big game and was replaced by backup Josh Johnson, only to be forced to return in a limited fashion when Johnson left due to a concussion. With no healthy quarterbacks left, the 49ers were no match for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, the 49ers had a lot to build on from their 2022 campaign. However, they now have a new quarterback controversy, with Purdy vs. Lance. It's hard to imagine Purdy doesn't get first dibs in 2023 after his impressive rookie performance.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans selected wide receiver Busta Burks with the number 18 overall pick, acquired in a trade that sent superstar wideout AJ Brown to the Eagles. The Titans took a calculated risk, hoping that an unproven rookie could fill Brown's void. Burks played in games during his rookie year, but he still wasn't very productive, catching only 33 passes for 444 yards and a touchdown. The Titans needed more from him. If they had kept Brown, they probably wouldn't have lost their final seven games and missed the postseason altogether. Year one was a giant disappointment for Burks, and it remains to be seen how he will rebound in year two.

In contrast, the Seattle Seahawks found a stud defensive back in the later rounds of the draft, as they had previously done with Richard Sherman and Cam Chancellor. In 2022, they selected Tariq Woolen with the 109th overall pick, and he quickly became a bona fide star in his rookie year. Woolen tied Minkah Fitzpatrick, Justin Simmons, and CJ Garner-Johnson for the league-leading interceptions with six apiece. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 51.5% of their passes in his direction, and they combined for a woeful passer rating of 48.7. There's no reason to think it was beginner's luck. The big, six-foot-four cornerback has all the pieces to be a perennial All-Pro in this league, and he is expected to be in the conversation for the NFL's top corner within the next couple of years.