2019 NFL Draft: Kyler Murray may be top quarterback in class
Recent rumors suggest that Kyler Murray might enter the 2019 NFL Draft. If so, does he immediately become the top signal caller in the class?
Honestly, before today, I had not thought of Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray much as a 2019 NFL Draft prospect. Sure, I loved watching him make plays all over the field for the Sooners, but after Murray was taken with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, it was a forgone conclusion that he would leave the gridiron for the diamond. However, that may no longer be the case.
On Wednesday’s episode of the Stick to Football podcast, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report suggests that Murray is leaning towards entering the 2019 NFL Draft.
When Murray was taken by the Oakland Athletics in last June’s MLB Draft, it was understood that he would play one season as the starting quarterback at Oklahoma and then enter the A’s minor league system. However, Murray took the college football world by storm, dominating all season long and winning the Heisman Trophy.
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Listed at 5-10, 195 pounds, Murray has always been considered by most to be too small for the NFL. That being said, size should not be a major concern at the quarterback position anymore. Drew Brees hasn’t been too small. Neither has Russell Wilson or Baker Mayfield. Simply put, a lack of size at the quarterback position is no longer the death sentence in the NFL Draft that it once was.
Murray is an elite playmaker with the ball in his hands. He would immediately come in as one of the most dynamic rushing quarterbacks in the NFL. Murray shows fantastic short-area quickness and long speed, consistently finding extra yards on the ground.
He has some room to grow as a passer, but the Oklahoma product showcases a big arm and quick release that will get scouts extremely excited. Murray’s accuracy is not consistent, but he shows the ability to put touch on his passes and fit balls into tight spaces. Make no mistake about it, this guy can make every throw on a football field.
Murray is a raw prospect who will need some refining at the next level. His slight build is also a bit of a concern, as Murray will have to protect himself against powerful NFL athletes. That being said, his natural playmaking ability gives Murray massive upside at the next level.
The 2019 NFL Draft class leaves plenty to be desired at the quarterback position. Dwayne Haskins Jr. is the clear top prospect at the moment, but there is little else to speak of at the position. Guys like Drew Lock and Daniel Jones could slip into the first round, but they are far from big-time NFL prospects.
2019 NFL Mock Draft: Full 2 rounds. dark. Next
Simply put, if Murray enters the 2019 NFL Draft, he immediately enters the QB1 discussion. Personally, I like him much more than any quarterback in this class besides perhaps Haskins. NFL teams will pick apart his weaknesses, but nobody can ignore Murray’s big-time talent. The 2019 NFL Draft class is begging for another top quarterback and Murray is the perfect guy to add to the mix.