The Arizona Cardinals entered the 2019 NFL draft with 10 selections. After trading quarterback Josh Rosen, they ended up with 11. Those selections turned into seven offensive players (three wide receivers and two linemen) and four defensive players (two defensive backs and two linemen).
However, of all 11 picks, only one really matters when it comes to the success of the team — their very first selection, quarterback Kyler Murray.
If Murray succeeds, Kliff Kingsbury and Steve Keim will keep their jobs. If Murray is good, it means the wide receivers will be productive. If he isn’t good, the receivers and the tight end they drafted won’t matter. Whether Byron Murphy is a shutdown corner won’t matter, because the quarterback is bad, which means the team will be bad.
Yes, Murphy was a steal at the top of the second round. Yes, Andy Isabella will be exciting to watch. Maybe the offensive linemen develop into something.
But, in the end, the way the rest of the draft picks turn out won’t matter as much as the guy under center.
The Cardinals needed to add talent and they did, but the success of the team and this draft class is really only measured by the success of the very first pick made.
Murray has a lot of pressure on him. Hopefully he is ready for it.
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