Green Bay Packers: 5 First-round targets in 2020 NFL Draft

2. Kenneth Murray

School: Oklahoma
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-2
Weight: 234 pounds
2019 Stats: 102 total tackles, 4 sacks, 4 passes defensed

Kenneth Murray may have put up impressive numbers in his final season with the Sooners but they actually pale in comparison to his 2018 production when he had 155 total tackles and 4.5 sacks as the anchor of the Oklahoma defense. Even so, he actually showed tremendous development as a player from 2018 to 2019 and is clearly the best linebacker in the 2020 NFL Draft, albeit in an overall weak class at the position.

Scouting Outlook

"As a linebacker, Murray is the complete package and a future three-down starter. He has good instincts, not great, but is quick to read his keys to get in position to make plays. For a big and thick linebacker, Murray has surprising speed to get to the perimeter and he eats up space in a hurry. Murray has good length and weight to him as well, which gives him enough versatility to play any linebacker position in a 4-3 scheme. Team sources say Murray can really run and is a flexible linebacker who should excel as a Mike, middle or outside linebacker. – Charlie Campbell, Walter Football"

Fit with the Packers

While Campbell mentions him in a 4-3, Murray very easily could slot into the Packers 3-4 alignment and succeed with aplomb. His sideline-to-sideline speed makes him a tremendous asset against the run, something that the Packers desperately need, and his sure tackling makes him a good bet to finish the play when he gets there.

Moreover, much like Queen, his physical tools and length allow him to also be an asset when dropping into pass coverage. Furthermore, his ability to attack as a blitzer with his speed could make him an even more versatile weapon in Green Bay, someone that could give the defense a noticeable facelift.