After winning the Heisman Trophy in his only season as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback, Kyler Murray is officially leaving baseball behind to pursue an NFL career.
While many consider Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins the top quarterback prospect in the 2019 NFL draft, Murray’s rare skill set makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire class. That could have some of the more outside-the-box teams preferring him to the more prototypical Haskins.
Which teams would be the best fit for Murray, and which teams aren’t likely to be interested at all? Here’s how we rank every team’s potential fit for Murray’s services:
32. Kansas City Chiefs
When your quarterback is 23 years old and coming off an MVP season, you don’t need to waste a single thought on another passer. Patrick Mahomes set the NFL on fire in 2018, and I’m betting he’ll be doing it for years to come. While Murray would be a blast to watch in a similar offensive scheme, Kansas City is the last place he’s likely to land in this year’s draft.
31. Cleveland Browns
After languishing for years in search of a true franchise quarterback, it appears the Browns have finally found one in last year’s No. 1 overall pick. Baker Mayfield’s playing style and personality are a perfect fit in Cleveland, and he should have them in the playoffs sooner than later. If he turns them into contenders, they’ll have a statue up in no time. Mayfield’s Browns should have no interest in spending a first-round pick on his college teammate.
30. New York Jets
Yes, there’s a theme here. The Jets traded a trio of second-round picks just to move up three spots in the 2018 NFL draft, and their prize was quarterback Sam Darnold. While the former USC star certainly took his lumps as a rookie, he’s got a bright future ahead of him, especially if the Jets can surround him with better protection and more weapons.
29. Baltimore Ravens
There’s already been a changing of the guard in Baltimore, as 2018 first-round pick has snatched the reins from the now-traded Joe Flacco as the team’s starting quarterback. The Ravens wisely rebuilt their offensive attack around Jackson’s rare ability as a runner, but they’ll be more and more balanced as the Heisman Trophy winner continues to develop his raw but promising skills as a passer. Murray has a somewhat similar skill set, but he’ll be making his plays elsewhere.
28. Buffalo Bills
Fans and analysts alike shook their heads when the Bills traded up into the top 10 of the 2018 draft to take Josh Allen (myself included), but it’s already looking like Buffalo will get the last laugh. Allen showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, and while he’s still plenty raw, it doesn’t look like it’ll take as long as expected for him to reach his lofty ceiling. The Bills will be spending their early draft picks building around him, not targeting Murray.
27. Los Angeles Rams
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see a dynamic talent like Murray leading a Sean McVay offense. But after a lackluster rookie season that had many labeling Jared Goff a bust, the former No. 1 overall pick has looked every bit the part of a franchise quarterback over the past two seasons under McVay. Goff may have struggled in the Super Bowl, but he won’t be giving way to Murray or anyone else anytime soon.
26. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have the rare luxury of two starting-caliber quarterbacks, though Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles will depart this offseason. Carson Wentz is still just 26 years old, and when healthy, has looked like the franchise passer the Eagles hoped they were getting when they traded up to the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Murray would be a fun fit with coach Doug Peterson, but there’s no need here.
25. Houston Texans
Somehow, the rest of the NFL let Deshaun Watson fall all the way to No. 12 overall in the 2017 NFL draft, where the Texans wisely pulled the trigger to trade up and land the former Clemson star. While a torn ACL robbed him of a decent chunk of his rookie season, Watson is a stud at full strength, the Texans should be focused on rebuilding his porous offensive line.
24. Chicago Bears
It’s been a roller-coaster of a two-year stretch for Mitchell Trubisky so far, but the former No. 2 overall pick has shown enough flashes to suggest he can be the team’s long-term solution at quarterback. Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy and company won’t have much interest in spending an early draft pick to start over at the game’s most important position, even for a dynamic talent like Murray.
23. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson might be the most underrated quarterback in the NFL. He’s got some solid pass-catchers around him, but his offensive line continues to struggle, and he finds success anyway. He’s 30 years old now, but if the Seahawks can bolster his protection this offseason, Wilson should be able to keep playing at a high level for years to come. That should keep the team from looking for his eventual successor for quite a while.
22. Indianapolis Colts
At full strength, Andrew Luck is easily one of the league’s best quarterbacks, and we were all reminded of this fact in 2018. He’ll turn 30 years old during the 2019 season, but I doubt the Colts have any interest in looking elsewhere at quarterback. Instead, they’ll try to strengthen their defense and keep adding more weapons to make Luck’s life easier.
21. Minnesota Vikings
In his first season as the team’s starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins had quite the up-and-down experience. Normally, it would be the kind of year that might have a team looking to add some young competition in the draft, but considering the fact that Cousins’ massive free-agent deal was completely guaranteed, the Vikings are married to him for the foreseeable future, for better or worse.
20. Arizona Cardinals
Why aren’t the Cardinals near the bottom of this list with the rest of the teams that took quarterbacks in the first round just a year ago? Because Murray would be such a good fit with new coach Kliff Kingsbury that I wouldn’t put it past Arizona to shop Josh Rosen and make the Heisman Trophy winner the No. 1 overall pick. Is it crazy? Absolutely. But man, it would be fun to watch.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger will turn 37 years old in March, but luckily for the Steelers, they landed a huge steal in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. Mason Rudolph is still smoothing out the rough edges in his game, but he should be ready to take over when the time comes. The Steelers have already invested in their quarterback of the future, and won’t be targeting Murray.
18. Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton does things no other quarterback in the NFL can do, but how much longer can he do them? He’s 29 years old, and has taken an absolute beating over the past few years. Yes, he’s built to handle it, but eventually, it has to take a toll. It’s not time for the Panthers to look for a replacement just yet, but Murray would do well positioned behind a veteran like Newton, who also possesses a rare skill set.
17. Detroit Lions
If the rest of the Lions roster was as consistent at Stafford, he might have a ring or two by now. Instead, the former No. 1 overall pick continues to put up big numbers, with little to show for it in terms of team success. The 31-year-old will keep slinging the ball for a while yet, making them still an unlikely destination for Murray, but the Lions will have to start thinking about life after Stafford at some point down the road.
16. San Francisco 49ers
Before a torn ACL cost him the majority of the 2018 season, Jimmy Garoppolo looked every bit worth what the 49ers gave up to acquire him from the New England Patriots. While it would be a blast to see Murray team up with a creative play-caller like Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco will be Jimmy’s team for years to come.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New coach Bruce Arians has made it clear Jameis Winston is his guy, but 2019 will be a make-or-break season for the former No. 1 overall pick. He’s on the final year of his rookie deal, and if he keeps up a similar stat sheet, the Bucs will either have to pay him a huge long-term extension, or start over at the game’s most important position. Murray won’t make much sense to the Bucs in this draft, but that doesn’t mean the team won’t be looking for a new one sometime soon if Winston doesn’t make huge strides this season.
14. Tennessee Titans
While turnovers have kept Winston from reaching his full potential, the No. 2 overall pick from that same draft has struggled with injuries and inconsistency of his own. The jury is still out on Marcus Mariota as the long-term solution for the Titans, and while it would be surprising to see the Titans spend a first-round pick on Murray as his eventual replacement, Mariota’s days might be numbered in Nashville if he can’t stay healthy and live up to his high expectations.
13. Green Bay Packers
You could make a strong argument that Aaron Rodgers is the most talented quarterback in NFL history, but as much as Green Bay fans would love to ignore the fact, he can’t play forever. He’s 35 years old, and DeShone Kizer hasn’t exactly proven he can be the future for the Packers. Kyler Murray would be a fun addition who would benefit from watching and learning behind Rodgers until it’s time to pass the torch.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott has proven he can be a solid quarterback, especially after the addition of Amari Cooper this season. But has he shown enough to warrant the huge long-term extension it will take to keep him in Dallas for the foreseeable future? The Cowboys are going to have to either break the bank for Prescott, or have a backup plan. Could Murray be Plan B?
11. Atlanta Falcons
“Matty Ice” doesn’t get the credit he deserves on a national level for the big numbers he’s put up over his career, but the former No. 3 overall pick will turn 34 in May. The Falcons have proven they don’t mind spending a first-round pick at a position that’s already loaded (see Calvin Ridley), and Murray would be a fantastic fit with Atlanta’s truckload of dynamic offensive weapons.
10. New England Patriots
Tom Brady wants to play until he’s 45, and I’ve learned not to bet against him. But after trading away both of his potential replacements in the same year (Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett), the Pats have been left without a long-term solution if Brady falls short of his goal. Murray is the complete opposite of Brady in terms of skill set, but who wouldn’t want to learn from the GOAT?
9. Los Angeles Chargers
Philip Rivers already has his place in Canton secured, but the Lombardi Trophy is still eluding him. He’ll keep chasing it for as long as he can, but at 37 years old, that can’t be too much longer. Murray is on the complete opposite end of the height spectrum from the massive Rivers, but could learn more than a thing or two from one of the most productive passers in league history.
8. Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr has been a roller-coaster since the Raiders picked him in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, and despite signing a massive extension in 2017, Oakland could move on from him after the 2019 season with very little in dead cap space as a result. Jon Gruden loves to make a splash, and while he has preferred veteran passers in the past, he’s got three first-round picks to play with. Drafting Murray would certainly add even more buzz factor to this franchise ahead of their move to Las Vegas.
7. Denver Broncos
While I think John Elway would prefer a quarterback with a more traditional skill set, the Broncos would be wise not to dismiss a rare talent like Murray. Sure, he doesn’t fit the prototypical mold, but he’s a much better long-term solution than either Case Keenum or the newly acquired Joe Flacco. Elway should think outside the box and give Murray strong consideration in the top 10.
6. New York Giants
Similar to Elway and the Broncos, I’d be shocked if an old-school general manager like Dave Gettleman considered a short, dual-threat quarterback like Murray with his top-10 pick in this draft. But with an experienced veteran like Eli Manning already in place, the Giants would be a solid spot for Murray to land and not have to play right away. A Heisman Trophy winner returning to New York to make headlines would be fun, and this team desperately needs a succession plan for Manning.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Murray doesn’t strike me as the kind of quarterback Tom Coughlin would prefer either, but if anything can change his mind, it’s being forced to choose between Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler every week. Murray would instantly energize and offensive that desperately needs a dynamic playmaker at the game’s most important position. This is a popular potential destination for Nick Foles, but if he lands elsewhere, Murray would be worth considering.
4. Miami Dolphins
With a regime change taking place in Miami, don’t be surprised if this offseason marks the end of the Ryan Tannehill era. If that’s the case, the Dolphins should be a prime candidate to make a move up from their No. 13 slot into the top 10 for a new franchise quarterback. Adding an experienced veteran in free agency would help give Murray some time to acclimate to the NFL game before taking over as the new face of the franchise under coach Brian Flores.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Much like Tannehill in Miami, Andy Dalton could have his days numbered in Cincinnati with the end of the Marvin Lewis era finally coming to pass. In comes Zac Taylor, a Sean McVay disciple, which would be a fantastic fit for a dynamic passer like Murray. Giving a fresh new coach like Taylor a rare talent like Murray to build around would give this team instant buzz they’ve lacked for years.
2. Washington Redskins
It’s hard to imagine Alex Smith being ready to play at any point in the 2019 season after suffering a gruesome leg injury last year. Washington doesn’t just need a quarterback of the future; they need one immediately. They’ll have to trade up from No. 15 to land Murray, but he’d be a strong match with Jay Gruden’s offense, and give the team more hope than they’d have with any other passer currently on the roster.
1. New Orleans Saints
What better situation could Murray possible find? Drew Brees is a year at a time at this point in his career, and Murray would benefit greatly from learning behind him for any stretch of time. A creative offensive mind like Sean Payton would maximize Murray’s rare skill set, and the offense is already built to make sure an undersized quarterback can succeed from the pocket. After a year or two behind Brees (with plenty of gadget-play snaps in between), Murray would be ready to set the NFL on fire alongside some other talented weapons.
