Aaron Murray compared to Matt Flynn, viewed as a backup by some

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray (11) runs through the Appalachian State Mountaineers defense during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Appalachian State 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs star quarterback Aaron Murray seems like a “safe” prospect in this year’s draft class, but is there such thing as being too “safe”? Murray is a guy with all the intangibles in the world, and he’s the most battle-tested quarterback heading into this year’s draft. We know he can succeed against some of the best defenses in the country, and yet there are still doubts as to whether or not he can even be a starter at the NFL level.

According to the NFL Network’s Albert Breer, an AFC college director stated that an accurate comparison for Aaron Murray is probable career backup Matt Flynn, who was a late-round pick out of LSU by the Green Bay Packers. Here’s what the scout said to Breer, “Backup quarterback in the league. Short, average arm and a good college quarterback. He can start in stretches, but would be better as a backup.”

The knocks on Murray are plentiful, and they mostly focus in on his lack of arm strength. He has all the mental tools and enough accuracy and poise, but it’s his downfield arm that rightfully has scouts worried. A team could fall in love with him and select him in the first round, but it seems more likely that Murray will be selected in the second round, especially since this draft class is stocked with depth at the quarterback position.

Breer was also told that half of the league views Murray as a legitimate starter at the next level, whereas the other half views him as a backup. Murray is an even more polarizing draft prospect than A.J. McCarron, and it can be argued that he is the most polarizing draft prospect of them all (even more so than Jadeveon Clowney). The backup knocks on Murray won’t stop, but I think he can be a legitimate starter at the next level if he’s given the supporting cast to succeed. You can’t expect him (or the majority of QB prospects) to succeed if you surround him with a garbage line or uneven receivers.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe. Be sure to like us on Facebook here and follow our site on Twitter as well.