NFC West starting quarterbacks, ranked worst to best

No. 3: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Yes, this is a San Francisco-centric site. Yes, Brock Purdy landing at No. 3 out of four spots in the NFC West will upset some of you.

But there's logic to it.

For starters, Purdy was impressive down the stretch last season, winning the final five regular-season games and knocking down both the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs before that UCL tear in the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles put a stop to the 49ers' otherwise impressive year.

Anyone who watched could tell the Niners offense was notably better with Purdy under center than the previous two options, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.

Since there's such a small sample size, it's hard to put Purdy any higher than this spot anyway, and that's precisely why former NFL cornerback Will Blackmon has his doubts, telling Colin Cowherd on The Herd (h/t MSN.com) the following:

"We need to see it again. That's how it always is. When somebody does something well, we need to see it again. Give us a full 18 [games]. Let him actually see some legit adversity, now that we have a full year of film on this guy, let's see him do it again."

For anyone getting upset about Purdy's spot at No. 3, take comfort in knowing he has the best supporting cast around him.

Context matters here, too.