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2019 NFL Mock Draft: Post-free agency first wave three-round projection

By Randy Gurzi

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Nick Bosa of Ohio State works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Nick Bosa of Ohio State works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners passes the ball in the second half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma Sooners won 37-27 over the Iowa State Cyclones.(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners passes the ball in the second half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma Sooners won 37-27 over the Iowa State Cyclones.(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

There’s just been too much smoke around Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals to think there’s no fire. Those who shrug it off as a smokescreen sound eerily like those who were suggesting the Cleveland Browns were doing the same thing before the 2018 NFL Draft with Baker Mayfield.

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Even the day of the draft, sports pundits and fans all around the country were saying Mayfield wasn’t going to be the guy but that the Browns were just trying to trick the New York Jets into giving up the farm for his services. Then, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took the stage and announced Mayfield as the No. 1 overall pick and he proceeded to go out and have one of the best seasons by a rookie quarterback ever.

Now, the talk is that the Cardinals are trying to convince the Oakland Raiders to give up the farm to jump from No. 4 to No. 1 in exchange for the rights to draft Murray. The belief is the Cardinals can’t be ready to move on from Josh Rosen after just one season. However, Kliff Kingsbury is now the coach and he has no ties to Rosen — just like Jon Gruden has no allegiance to Derek Carr in Oakland.

In the end, look for Arizona to land themselves a bona fide superstar. Much like Mayfield in 2018, Murray will change the perception of this team and is the most likely first pick.

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