
Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray has already signed a deal with the Oakland A’s
Kyler Murray is the best draft eligible quarterback
It’s not a great quarterback class. There’s not an obvious top-10 talent.
We could see Drew Lock go very early. Or Dwayne Haskins. It seems somewhat likely they’ll be the first two quarterbacks taken (assuming Haskins declares and Oregon’s Justin Hebert doesn’t).
That said, I’d take my chances on Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray.
He says he’s still planning to return to baseball. Murray was the #9 overall pick in the last MLB draft, picked by the Oakland A’s. He agreed a deal that contained a $4.66m signing bonus. Murray’s baseball agent says he’s committed to Oakland.
It could come down to money. Josh Rosen, the #10 pick in the NFL draft this year, received a $10.87m signing bonus from the Cardinals with $17.5m guaranteed overall. If teams are willing to draft Murray in the top-15 he has a decision to make.
Lamar Jackson, the #32 overall pick, received a signing bonus worth $4.9m. It’s similar to Murray’s MLB deal. In that scenario, it might still be a decision worth contemplating. As a late first round or early second round pick, Murray would expect to start sooner rather than later (Jackson is now a rookie starter in Baltimore). If he’s drafted in the third round, he’s getting less money and there’s no guarantee he’ll ever truly compete to start (and might even be drafted by a team looking for a backup).
It’s a tough call for NFL teams too. If Murray opts for the NFL — will he be making the move knowing he can always turn to baseball in the future? Will he be constantly weighing up the two sports? Or will he simply move on with the occasional flirt (see: Russell Wilson)?
They’d also have to consider that there isn’t anyone like Murray in the league. Wilson was short but sturdy and played in a distinctly pro-style offense at Wisconsin. Murray is listed at 5-10 and 195lbs. That’s 10lbs lighter than Wilson at the 2012 combine. Can Murray get over 200lbs to allay some of those fears?
Either way, I promised never to write a player off due to height after the Wilson experience. So I’m not going to do that with Murray. And for me, he’s the most exciting QB eligible for this class. He’s an accurate passer with great feel and understanding in the pocket. He can improvise and extend plays when required. He has a terrific arm and can make the big plays downfield. He’s even more impressive when he throws with touch — and watching multiple games in the last couple of days there were clear examples where Murray delivered a beautiful touch pass. One in particular stood out — the tight end ran to the sideline on a scramble drill and Murray looped a pass over the head of one defensive back but kept the ball away from the safety. It was inch perfect.
He’s also a tremendous athlete capable of breaking contain and making big gains with his legs. He throws well on the run — whether that’s downfield or finding a check-down. There’s a lot to like.
Teams like the Giants, Dolphins, Jaguars and Redskins — they need a long term answer at quarterback. And if I’m thinking of going in that direction in 2019 — I’m getting the message out to Murray’s people that we’re interested. He’d be the most unorthodox NFL quarterback at his size. It could easily be that it doesn’t work out, that he struggles like other QB’s missing the ideal height and frame. I think you have to keep your options open though. Especially if you’re in the market for a quarterback.
Murray has something about him. A special quality. He’d be the player I’d be showing most interest in if this was a blog focusing on a team with a QB need. I think he’s worthy of first round consideration.
It’s also worth mentioning that John Schneider attended the Oklahoma vs West Virginia game recently. Murray would be an ideal project for Seattle. Wilson is now 30. It wouldn’t be the worst time to draft a highly talented quarterback. Clearly Wilson is in his prime and having a tremendous year. He’s worthy of the contract extension he’ll likely receive within the next 18 months. But it’d be ideal to have an option when he reaches age 34. At that point, are you thinking about a fourth contract? You’d at least welcome an alternative that is trained in your offense.
New England drafted Jimmy Garoppolo in round two in 2014. He was a possible replacement for Tom Brady. In the end, the Pats traded Garoppolo for an early pick and stuck with Brady. They had that choice.
It might be time for the Seahawks to give themselves a similar option a few years down the line. Murray would fit the bill. There are two problems though — is he even willing to sit and wait for his chance with a $4.66m signing bonus to play in the MLB? And can the Seahawks justify a move like this when they currently only have four picks in the 2019 draft and clear defensive needs?
SPARQ scores for the 2019 class
Most of the top players take part in the Nike SPARQ events during recruitment. It’s a chance to show off their physical potential. It also gives us an early insight into how certain players might test at the NFL combine.
It has to be noted that the players have since grown, developed, been on proper diets and spent more time in the weight room. Some players might be slower because they’re bigger — others might’ve developed significantly since High School. This is nothing more than a gauge. Generally though, the top athletes are the top athletes. Josh Sweat for example had an unreal SPARQ score in High School and then blew up the NFL combine this year.
Some of the best players didn’t take part in SPARQ (Nick Bosa, Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins for example) while others such as Kyler Murray seemed to attend but not test. I’ve listed the players high-to-low based on their scores. It’s also worth mentioning — size matters. The heavier players aren’t going to score as well.
Terry McLaurin (WR, Ohio State)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 184
Forty: 4.41
Short shuttle: 4.13
Vertical: 42
SPARQ: 141.96
K.J. Hill (WR, Ohio State)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 192
Forty: 4.65
Short shuttle: 3.88
Vertical: 40
SPARQ: 133.95
Porter Gustin (LB, USC)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 238
Forty: 4.63
Short shuttle: 4.13
Vertical: 34
SPARQ: 130.44
Bryce Love (RB, Stanford)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180
Forty: 4.47
Short shuttle: 3.90
Vertical: 37
SPARQ: 129.75
Damien Harris (RB, Alabama)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 208
Forty: 4.48
Short shuttle: 4.00
Vertical: 38
SPARQ: 126.93
Marvell Tell (S, USC)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 184
Forty: 4.55
Short shuttle: 4.19
Vertical: 39
SPARQ: 125.16
Christian Miller (EDGE, Alabama)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 212
Forty: 4.74
Short shuttle: 4.18
Vertical: 39
SPARQ: 124.17
Devin White (LB, LSU)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 260
Forty: 4.57
Short shuttle: 4.36
Vertical: 34
SPARQ: 122.19
Austin Bryant (EDGE, Clemson)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 249
Forty: 4.99
Short shuttle: 4.31
Vertical: 32
SPARQ: 109.80
Rodney Anderson (RB, Oklahoma)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
Forty: 4.63
Short shuttle: 3.97
Vertical: 37
SPARQ: 109.29
Rashan Gary (DE, Michigan)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 287
Forty: 4.74
Short shuttle: 4.38
Vertical: 32
SPARQ: 109.17
Taylor Rapp (S, Washington)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 199
Forty: 4.74
Short shuttle: 4.09
Vertical: 32
SPARQ: 108.3
Deionte Thompson (S, Alabama)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Forty: 4.77
Short shuttle: 3.98
Vertical: 36
SPARQ: 107.40
Ed Oliver (DT, Houston)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 289
Forty: 4.87
Short shuttle: 4.52
Vertical: 30
SPARQ: 105.63
Trayvon Mullen (CB, Clemson)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 170
Forty: 4.52
Short shuttle: 4.24
Vertical: 35
SPARQ: 101.49
Jerry Tillery (DT, Notre Dame)
Height: 6-6
Weight: 317
Forty: 5.17
Short shuttle: 4.53
Vertical: 28
SPARQ: 100.14
Cameron Smith (LB, USC)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 236
Forty: 4.82
Short shuttle: 4.28
Vertical: 32
SPARQ: 96.45
Raekwon Davis (DT, Alabama)
Height: 6-8
Weight: 318
Forty: 5.49
Short shuttle: 4.84
Vertical: 26
SPARQ: 93.63
Brian Burns (EDGE, Florida State)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 213
Forty: 4.76
Short shuttle: 4.50
Vertical: 34
SPARQ: 92.04
Jonathan Ledbetter (DE, Georgia)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 276
Forty: 5.04
Short shuttle: 4.69
Vertical: 28
SPARQ: 91.47
Jordan Fuller (S, Ohio State)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
Forty: 4.51
Short shuttle: 4.40
Vertical: 33
SPARQ: 90.96
Quinnen Williams (DT, Alabama)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 260
Forty: 5.24
Short shuttle: 4.72
Vertical: 29
SPARQ: 90.3
D’Andre Walker (EDGE, Georgia)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 213
Forty: 4.63
Short shuttle: 4.16
Vertical: 33
SPARQ: 89.91
Dexter Lawrence (DT, Clemson)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 335
Forty: 5.03
Short shuttle: 4.61
Vertical: 23
SPARQ: 88.98
Drew Lock (QB, Missouri)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 204
Forty: 4.84
Short shuttle: 4.35
Vertical: 31
SPARQ: 88.38
Jaquan Johnson (S, Miami)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 182
Forty: 4.75
Short shuttle: 4.28
Vertical: 33
SPARQ: 87.78
Greg Little (T, Ole Miss)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 213
Forty: 5.75
Short shuttle: 4.70
Vertical: 26
SPARQ: 86.1
Jeffrey Simmons (DT, Mississippi State)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 262
Forty: 4.96
Short shuttle: 4.61
Vertical: 25
SPARQ: 83.79
Jonah Williams (G, Alabama)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 280
Forty: 5.14
Short shuttle: 4.66
Vertical: 27
SPARQ: 82.35
Joe Jackson (DE, Miami)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 237
Forty: 4.83
Short shuttle: 4.93
Vertical: 32
SPARQ: 80.31
Cody Ford (T, Oklahoma)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 314
Forty: 5.53
Short shuttle: 4.79
Vertical: 23
SPARQ: 76.71
Derrick Brown (DT, Auburn)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 322
Forty: 5.28
Short shuttle: 4.82
Vertical: 23
SPARQ: 64.38
What stands out…
The top two players listed here are Ohio State wide receivers. I’m a big fan of Terry McLaurin based on what I’ve seen in 2018. Dynamic, able to separate and get downfield. His best football could come at the next level.
Rashan Gary’s short shuttle of 4.38 at 287lbs is eye-catching. He was recruited as a defensive tackle prospect (Rivals viewed Gary and Dexter Lawrence as the best defensive tackle duo they’d ever seen within the same class). It’s a quicker time than Bradley Chubb ran this year at 269lbs. Rasheem Green ran a 4.39 at 275lbs. That’s the type of potential Green has — even if we haven’t seen much from him as a rookie in Seattle.
Jerry Tillery’s short shuttle of 4.53 at 317lbs and Dexter Lawrence’s 4.61 at 335lbs are also worth noting. Taven Bryan ran a 4.50 at 290lbs and landed in round one this year. Lawrence ran the same time as Jeffrey Simmons despite a 73lb weight difference. Brian Burns ran a 4.50. Again, that puts the times of Tillery and Lawrence into perspective.
Austin Bryant also performed well in the short shuttle, running a 4.31. That’s a similar time to Josh Sweat (4.28) at almost identical weights. Sweat only fell in the draft this year due to injury concerns.
USC’s Porter Gustin won’t be an early pick but he’s someone to keep in the back of your mind. Before picking up an injury this year he had 10 TFL’s and seven sacks in just six games. Production + athleticism.
I’ve been saying for a while I don’t really understand the hype around Alabama safety Deionte Thompson. He’s not a bad player but where’s the evidence of a first round talent? At SPARQ testing he ran a 4.77 at 175lbs. Rashan Gary ran a quicker time (4.74) at 287lbs. Thompson might be faster now but he’s not going to run a 4.4 or 4.5. He did test very well in the short shuttle with a sub-4.00 time of 3.98. I think he’s a cornerback in a system like Seattle’s. Long arms, lean frame, quick feet, physical. I’d be projecting him at corner as a mid-round pick.
D’Andre Walker’s short shuttle of 4.13 is quicker than Leighton Vander Esch’s 4.15 at the NFL combine. Walker’s added 30lbs since he tested at SPARQ. If he produces a similar short shuttle in March with the extra muscle, get ready. People have been underrating him all year.
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