Sorry, Arizona Cardinals die-hards. This one isn’t for you. This take is for 31 other fanbases around the NFL.
I’m rooting for the Cards not to take Kyler Murray on Thursday night as Arizona kicks off the 2019 NFL draft.
Although there are countless mock drafts projecting the Heisman Trophy winner and Oklahoma QB will be the first pick made in the Kliff Kingsbury era, there is some doubt — as of 2:49 p.m. eastern — that it’s a guarantee that he’ll be taken there.
If the Cardinals don’t take him, the draft gets thrown into complete chaos. Imagine John Lynch’s phone ringing off the hook in the 49ers draft room. Would he take a boatload of picks to not take, say, Nick Bosa or Quinnen Williams? Is that the right move? CHAOS!
The Jets — who could still be taking calls from QB-starved teams looking to move up even if Murray’s taken by Arizona– could increase the value of their No. 3 pick by a lot more. The drama gets ratcheted up instantaneously: Who’s willing to pay the steep price to trade up for Murray? Heck, what if the Cardinals have decided they’re not using their No. 1 pick on the quarterback and they trade down? That’s before we wonder who might trade up for other QBs like Dwayne Haskins, Daniel Jones or Drew Lock, which is already in play. Your head is already exploding!!
The draft goes from a snoozer to must-see TV.
Yes, as of Thursday afternoon, it’s still smoke screen season for NFL teams and reporters. This could all be some posturing to throw off other franchises and mess with their game plans when the clock starts ticking on Thursday night.
Yet there are tweets and reports like this:
So for the next few hours, sit back and dream of a scenario in which the Cardinals decide to pass on the electrifying Murray. Let’s get nuts!
