It’s possible that Brock Purdy‘s arm is the weakest of any NFL starting quarterback. He was selected last in the draft because of this. He compensates for this shortcoming by throwing accurately and anticipatorily out of the pocket.
Consequently, he can predict the opening and toss the ball into a wide-open window where a receiver will eventually be when he faces zone coverage.
Purdy shreds zone coverages with lightning speed and accuracy when he diagnoses them accurately, making his lack of arm power irrelevant. Coverage from man to man is a another matter.
How can Purdy improve against Coverage?
There aren’t many large open windows in the defense when a team can play tight man-to-man coverage with elite defensive backs and linebackers. As a result of the quarterback needing to fit the pass over or over a defender who is sprinting step for step with the receiver, there are actually very little gaps.
Arm strength is helpful while facing man-to-man coverage. It keeps defensive backs from turning and intercepting the pass or breaking it up, enabling quarterbacks to stuff throws into the tightest spaces.
Purdy can gradually strengthen his arms, but it’s unlikely that he’ll ever have the strength to shred man covering. Still, there’s a method he can overcome it. He’ll prevail against man coverage as long as he uses his legs decisively and aggressively. Well that’s what 49ers would hope.