The Arizona Cardinals have been connected to Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray and are widely expected to make him the first overall pick in the draft on Thursday. Some think the talk of Murray has been a ploy to get the Oakland Raiders or another team to trade up to the top pick.
Perhaps both could happen.
There is a scenario in which the Cardinals move back in the round and still land Murray.
How is this possible?
The scenario was proposed by Phil Savage.
The Raiders, who covet a pass rusher after trading away Khalil Mack last fall, could want Nick Bosa. However, if the Cardinals take Murray, the San Francisco 49ers are very likely to draft Bosa.
The Raiders could trade up to No. 1 to get the Ohio State product.
The 49ers won’t take a quarterback, and neither will the New York Jets. The Cardinals could still take Murray fourth overall and have additional picks from the trade.
Of course, this would go against recent history. Each of the last 10 quarterbacks selected in the first round was either taken by a team that traded up, or went first overall.
For fans who do not want to see Murray taken first overall by the team, perhaps this would soften the blow because they would have Murray and potentially another first-round pick or more, plus the compensation they could get for QB Josh Rosen.
Because the Cardinals have not really played their hand yet with the top pick, this scenario is realistic. The danger of a move like this is that another team trades up to No. 2 or No. 3 and takes Murray before the Cardinals are on the clock at No. 4.
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