The Arizona Cardinals selected quarterback Kyler Murray first overall in the NFL draft in April. He was their top-rated player in the entire class. For them, it was a no-brainer to select him even though they already had a quarterback in Josh Rosen, whom they believed would be good.
However, according to sister site Draft Wire’s managing editor Luke Easterling, Murray was not even the best player and was not even close to the No. 1 value pick in the first round.
Murray, selected first overall, was sixth on Easterling’s big board. He was 17th in draft value, according to this list.
The No. 1 value was pass rusher Montez Sweat, ranked 15th on the big board and selected 26th overall by the Washington Redskins. The Redskins also had the No. 2 value in QB Dwayne Haskins, originally No. 5 on the big board and taken No. 15 overall.
Picking first overall, there was no way the Cardinals could get a supposed value pick. The player would either be the top player selected first, meaning there is no true value to it, or the pick is a reach because he would be overdrafted.
Ultimately, does it matter? What really matters is whether he is the best player in the draft or not. Being a quarterback, the position has extra value. If he is great and players like Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams are better, the Cardinals will still have made the right decision because quarterback is so much more important than any other position on the field.
The team doesn’t believe Murray is a reach. He couldn’t have been a value pick, so as long as he develops into something special, that’s all that matters.
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