Cincinnati Bengals ready for turnaround in 7-round 2020 mock draft
With the first pick of the second round, one need that has been circled by many has been the interior of the offensive line. A player like Cesar Ruiz would be a great target but, unfortunately, he was off the board in this simulation. Kenneth Murray out of Oklahoma, however, dropped to the No. 33 pick, which made this a tasty pick for the Bengals to make.
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Most people would not highlight linebacker as a primary need for Cincinnati. However, when you look back on the success of this team in relatively recent history, it was when guys like Vontaze Burfict were patrolling the middle of the field and making an impact. Germaine Pratt is a fine player, as is new addition Josh Bynes, but neither are game-changers. Murray, however, has that type of potential with little concern about baggage as with a player like Burfict.
Here’s what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say about the Oklahoma product:
"Sleek, playmaking linebacker with chiseled frame and long arms. Murray’s game is predicated on speed with an ability to fly around from sideline to sideline rolling up tackles. While his twitchy burst allows him to make more plays than the average linebacker, he will overflow to ball-carriers at times. Recognition of play development and ability to take on blocks are both underdeveloped currently, but a move to weak-side linebacker would put him in position to minimize those concerns and maximize his playmaking talent. Murray has hit-or-miss qualities and is more splashy than consistent, but he’s immensely talented with the ability to imprint on games on all three downs."
Murray has all of the tools the Bengals need to try and recapture their defenses of old, especially if he gets NFL coaching on the mental aspects of his game.
The weaknesses that the former Sooner has right now are all predicated on over-aggressiveness and a lack of patience — not his physical tools. Those are the things that can be coached down, which will make Murray a player who can be elite against the run and a high-end player dropping into coverage. That’s the type of difference-maker Cincinnati needs in the middle of the defense.