The Decisions to pass on Patrick Mahomes during the 2017 NFL draft may have, in an unexpected turn, offered a silver lining for the San Francisco 49ers. Opting for Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas with the No. 3 pick that year, the Niners indirectly paved the way for acquiring Brock Purdy in 2022, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Decisions
During the 2017 draft, the 49ers held the second overall pick but did not extensively evaluate Mahomes. Their focus was on potentially signing Kirk Cousins during the 2018 free agency, aiming to reunite him with coach Kyle Shanahan. However, these plans were thwarted by other developments in the league.
While it would be an exaggeration to say that Mahomes was completely overlooked in the pre-draft process, Shanahan admitted in 2020 that he didn’t delve into Mahomes’ evaluation as much as he should have. The coach acknowledged Mahomes’ exceptional talent but highlighted the team’s priority at that time, which was to bolster the Niners’ defense, ranking last in yards and points allowed in 2016.
Despite the hindsight preference for Mahomes over Purdy, Shanahan expressed regret about the 2017 draft outcome. However, this oversight hasn’t prevented the 49ers from consistently contending for titles, unlike the Chicago Bears, who selected Mitchell Trubisky over Mahomes with the No. 2 pick and have been grappling to recover ever since.
As the Super Bowl approaches,Decisions the narrative may take a different turn based on Purdy’s performance. If he successfully leads the franchise to victory, the 2017 draft may lose some of its significance for Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. On the other hand, if Mahomes prevails against the 49ers once again, it could prompt fans to reflect on the “what could’ve been” scenario, potentially altering the perception of that crucial draft decision. The outcome of the Decisions upcoming game will determine whether passing on Mahomes was a mere blip in the team’s history or a pivotal moment with lasting implications.
