Santa Clara— Willie Snead became Drew Brees' favorite wide receiver after joining the New Orleans Saints. Snead caught 141 receptions for 1,879 yards and seven scores in his first two seasons with the likely first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.
Snead remembered those encounters last season when he saw more of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. “He just reminds me of these little things about Drew,” Snead told NBC Sports Bay Area.
Physical tools and their size come first. Brees weighed 209 pounds at 6 feet. Purdy is 6-1, 220. “Drew never had the strongest arm, but he was so pinpoint accurate,” Snead recalled. He understood when to let the ball go to catch it in stride, and Brock does too. Despite his weak arm, he can foresee openings.
Drive and determination to be great are another positive parallel, Snead added. “I see similarities between Brock and Drew with the mental part of the game and being a competitor,” Snead said. For a while, Tom Brady and Drew were competitors. I saw it up close. Brock makes me go, ‘Yeah.
I think Brock has time to mature and become that player. Being a part of that and seeing Drew for three years shows his potential. I said, ‘Brock, you’re that guy,’ last year. He showed everyone this season.”
Purdy established a 49ers club record with 4,280 passing yards and 113.0 passer rating. He started the NFC Pro Bowl. He was thrilled that Snead compared him to Brees, whom he admires. Purdy possesses unmeasurable qualities that set him apart at practically every level. Even as a top Arizona high school player, Division I colleges didn't pursue him.
He said on a recruiting site, “I have the drive and passion to win any given game. I am an uncommon authoritative athlete. Leadership and competitiveness have always set me apart from other quarterbacks.” He was the last choice in the 2022 NFL Draft after four years as an Iowa State starter. Once on the field with the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan knew he found his guy.
Honestly, just being a kid and watching games on TV and wanting to be in those games,” Purdy said of his competitiveness. I remember wanting to play at the biggest stadium and experiencing the thrill of the game as a kid. I loved the game early on
There was Purdy familial competition. His father, Shawn, pitched eight minor league seasons. Chubba, his younger brother, had many offers after entering the transfer portal after playing quarterback at Florida State and Nebraska. “Over time, you just hate to lose, and I feel that’s carried over,” Purdy said. When you play in the NFL, you live what you watched as a youngster. Why not try your hardest?