You bet! Projected as a first-round NFL pick, Murray has the skills and intangibles to be the another Patrick Mahomes.
Kyler Murray, who is entering the 2019 NFL Draft, has won at every level. In high school, he won three straight Texas state titles–in a state where football is king. He then took his talents to Texas A&M, sat out a year, and transferred to OU, where he sat another year–this time behind Baker Mayfield.
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated.com
Finally, it was his turn! And he showed the college football world just what he was all about! Murray won the Heisman in college football and signed a baseball contract with the Oakland Athletics.
At first, everyone thought that Murray would focus on baseball. But that won’t happen. Murray announced that he’d make football his pro career. He’s projected to be a first-round pick, too. Most draft boards have him going 13th to the Miami Dolphins.
Why is Murray in high demand? Numbers tell the story. In 2018, he threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns with a season-long 199.2 QB. And as good as Murray’s arm is, his speed sets him apart from the other QBs in this draft class.
Murray does a lot of damage by getting outside of the pocket–creating plays when they look dead and using his speed and quickness to extend plays. With good mechanics, don’t be surprised if he makes NFL passes like Mahomes did this past season.
Kyler reads defenses well, too. For example, in the Big 12 Championship game, he had Ceedee Lamb run a post to the back-middle of the endzone. Lamb had one defender on him, while the safety was keying on Murray. Murray used a little shoulder move to throw off the safety just enough to rip a pass to Lamb for the TD. It was a tight window throws that Murray made look easy.
That play is also an example of something that gets overlooked: Murray’s accuracy, especially when he’s under pressure.
The downside, of course, is his size–5’9″ and 195 pounds. Scouts are concerned that he’ll have trouble seeing over the line, but that has never bothered another smaller QB, Drew Brees. Besides, Murray’s thick build should serve him well in the NFL.
The bigger issue for me is Murray’s penchant for making iffy decisions. If he sees a receiver open, he sometimes throws without thinking about the coverage.
Overall, though, you can’t quibble with Murray’s draft grade of 93.7. That’s why I think Murray will be the next Human Joystick.
He’ll be a great NFL player. Mark my words!
