Kyler Murray 2019 NFL Draft Profile

Kyler Murray is one of the most intriguing prospects of the 2019 NFL draft. He enters the NFL draft with a 2018 Associated Press Player of the Year award and a Heisman trophy from the 2018 season. Both accolades come after being drafted ninth overall in the 2018 MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics.

Murray was a Five-Star recruit coming out of high school and won the 2014 Gatorade Football Player of the Year award. During his high school career, he won three straight state championships for Allen High School in Allen, Texas. His team won 43 straight games during that stretch, and Murray only missed one start. He finished high school with a perfect 42-0 record as a starter.

Murray played his 2015 college season with the Texas A&M Aggies, where he played mostly as a backup until later in the season. After that season, he announced he was transferring to Oklahoma. He sat out the 2016 season due to transfer regulations.

During the 2017 season with the Oklahoma Sooners, Murray was the backup to starter Baker Mayfield, mainly making relief appearances. The 2018 season saw Murray as the starter and he excelled with the opportunity. During the 2018 season, Murray threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. He also rushed for 1,001 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He wrapped the season up winning the Heisman trophy a year after Baker Mayfield accepted the same honor.

Weaknesses

A little undersized for the NFL in both height and frame

A tendency to lock onto target instead of going through his progression

Sometimes too willing to run as opposed to letting a play develop

Poor anticipation leads to throws into expiring windows

Lack of deep ball passing accuracy

Projection: Mid first round

Bottom Line

Murray is set to report to spring training in 2019 for the Oakland A’s. While he has declared for the draft there is a looming uncertainty about his athletic future after signing a $4.6 million dollar signing bonus.

His size, primarily his height will be the biggest questions for NFL teams. While he has all the primary traits that make for a solid NFL quarterback, he’s got things to learn about reading through a progression and not leaving yards on the field.

He represents a highly talented, extremely athletic dual-threat quarterback. He’s shifty and poised in the pocket and capable of avoiding pressure. He’s got the baseball background of arm mechanics and throwing and knows how to put velocity on the ball. Murray has a ton of potential as a franchise NFL quarterback. With several teams looking for the next star, Murray should be fun to watch.