Who could pick Kyler Murray first?
Kyler Murray has opted to go full bore into his pursuit of a career as a quarterback rather than continue on his path as a top baseball prospect.
Now, NFL teams face a dilemma: Which one is prepared to make a 5-10 passer its top pick?
The Heisman Trophy winner and former Oklahoma quarterback will have plenty of opportunities to make his case, starting with the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February. And while Murray will face questions about his size and relative lack of experience (one full season as a college starter), he should command considerable interest as a potential firstround pick.
Nine teams that could be in the market for Murray:
Cardinals: As the holder of the No. 1 pick with last year’s first-round quarterback Josh Rosen already in tow, Arizona represents one of the wilder landing spots for Murray. But fans couldn’t ignore an October video of Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, then with Texas Tech, saying he would take the Oklahoma dual-threat standout with the top selection if he could. Drafting Murray would mark another reset for the franchise and possibly entail selling low on Rosen in a trade.
Raiders: With the No. 4 overall pick and two more firstround selections, Oakland has the resources to take Murray and still add talent elsewhere on a depleted roster. Such a move might necessitate dispatching Derek Carr, but it would build plenty of excitement ahead of the 2020 move to Las Vegas.
Giants: One year after bypassing the opportunity to invest the No. 2 pick in a successor for Eli Manning, the Giants shape up as the team perhaps best prepared to pull the trigger on a first-round passer. Teaming Murray with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and running back Saquon Barkley could put defensive players and coaches on their heels, but coach Pat Shurmur said last year, “I fancy guys that are tall.”
Jaguars: After Blake Bortles bottomed out last season and Cody Kessler didn’t fare much better, Jacksonville is almost obligated to make some kind of shake-up at quarterback. Murray could give the Jaguars’ stagnant attack a much-needed jolt, though coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo would have to enact a scheme that would afford him the opportunity to do so.
Broncos: The similarities between Murray and John Elway might end at their dualsport dalliance, but the Broncos’ leader should take a long look at the diminutive playmaker given Denver’s inability to address the position after Peyton Manning.
Bengals: New coach Zac Taylor said Andy Dalton was a “great fit” for Cincinnati’s new scheme, but even the Sean McVay disciple will be hardpressed to mold the 31-yearold into more than a pedestrian passer. Murray would form a dynamic backfield with running back Joe Mixon while sparking big plays for receivers A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd.
Dolphins: Miami’s rebuild might be an extended one, and bringing on a franchise quarterback to flounder alongside subpar talent can be a dangerous proposition. But if the Dolphins want to get going next season rather than take their chances on the top talent available in 2020, taking Murray might be the right move.
Redskins: With Alex Smith’s status unclear, Washington is stuck in quarterback purgatory. As more than a stopgap solution, Murray could stir some excitement for an organization that seems to be short on goodwill with its fan base.
Patriots: Bill Belichick might be the NFL’s pre-eminent coach in catering to unique talent, and Murray would be a fascinating test of that ability. With Tom Brady maintaining he plans to play until he’s 45, New England’s timeline for a changing of the guard would bear watching.