The New York Giants need a new franchise quarterback. One prospect they should consider drafting is Hesiman Trophy winner Kyler Murray.
The New York Giants need a new franchise quarterback. It’s time to move on from Eli Manning. With the NFL Draft rapidly approaching, Big Blue will have a crucial decision to make with the sixth overall pick. There are a number of talented signal-callers out there but one prospect that is quickly zooming up draft boards is 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray.
The Oklahoma Sooner product was measured at 5-10.125 and 207 pounds at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Could he be the next Russell Wilson? In order to find out, general manager Dave Gettleman will probably have to trade up to get him. Way up.
There is a strong possibility the Arizona Cardinals may select the two-sport standout (baseball) with the initial selection in this year’s draft. That would cost the Giants an enormous amount of draft capital but anything can happen during the annual extravaganza.
Murray was brilliant in 2018 in leading the Sooners to a 12-2 record and a berth in the college football playoff semifinals. The Bedford, TX native threw for 4,361 yards and completed 69 percent of his pass attempts. He fired 42 touchdown passes with seven interceptions while adding 1,001 yards on the ground (a 7.2 YPC average) and 12 touchdowns.
Let’s take a look at his highlights:
Murray’s athleticism and speed jumps off the tape. Although he does not possess prototypical size for a franchise NFL quarterback, he has an above-average arm with nice touch. He can make all the throws a pro quarterback needs to make. Murray fires the ball down the field with accuracy, zip and in tight windows. The tight window toss is key. You have to excel on that throw to succeed in the NFL.
What Murray needs to do is to create his own passing lanes due to his lack of height. The model to compare him to is Wilson. As speedy as Wilson is, Murray appears to be even faster. He explodes around the edge and is hard to catch once he’s in the open field. Murray has dynamic play-making ability with his scrambling prowess. He throws well on the run as well and, much like Wilson, he can turn a negative play into a positive one with his elusiveness.
No player is perfect. One negative about Murray is that he has to work on going through his progressions more efficiently. He tends to lock in on one receiver at times so he’ll need to improve that aspect of his game.
The Cardinals may select Murray at number one in the draft, so if the Giants really want him, it’s going to cost them a bundle to move up. Is he worth it? That’s what Gettleman has to decide. Murray is a premier talent though so it’s going to be fascinating to see how this all shakes out.