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Kyler Murray Now the Odds-On Favorite to be Selected 1st Overall in 2019 NFL Draft

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Mar 2, 2021 · 3:24 PM PST

Kyler Murray celebrating
Kyler Murray celebrating a touchdown. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)
  • Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray now favored to go first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft
  • Murray walked away from an MLB deal with the Oakland A’s to play football
  • The Arizona Cardinals hold the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft

It would appear that Kyler Murray is about to gain another trait in common with Baker Mayfield.

Both are quarterbacks. Each played NCAA football for the Oklahoma Sooners. They won the Heisman Trophy. And now, odds are favoring Murray to be the first player chosen in the 2019 NFL Draft, just as Mayfield was a year ago by the Cleveland Browns.

The Arizona Cardinals hold the first pick in the NFL Draft.

Odds To Be 1st Pick Of 2019 NFL Draft

Player Odds To Be The First Pick Of The 2019 NFL Draft
Kyler Murray -200
Nick Bosa +150
Quinnen Williams +1200
Josh Allen +1600

*Odds taken on 03/05/19

After the football world saw his official measurements at the 2019 NFL Combine, Murray’s odds to be selected first overall improved to +200. But the hype did not stop there.

If he’s the choice, Murray would be the 10th Heisman Trophy-winning QB to go first overall.

He’d join Mayfield (2018), Jameis Winston (2015), Cam Newton (2011), Sam Bradford (2010), Carson Palmer (2003), Vinny Testaverde (1987), Jim Plunkett (1971), Terry Baker (1963), and Angelo Bertelli (1944).

Murray’s Stock Has Soared

Even though he didn’t compete, Murray still made an impressive showing at the NFL Combine. Doubts about his size were laid to rest when he measured up at 5-10 1/8 and 207 pounds.

His hand size measured out to 9 4/8 inches. That’s larger than Winston, Patrick Mahomes, and Sam Darnold. And he allayed any fears that he might still have a notion about playing baseball.

Murray enacted a clause that enabled him to opt out of a contract he signed with the Oakland A’s after they selected him in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Is The Bloom Off Rosen?

A year ago, the Cardinals spent the 10th overall pick of the draft on UCLA QB Josh Rosen. He threw for 11 TDs and was picked off 14 times as a rookie, and it would appear that Arizona is already moving on from him and will put the ball in Murray’s hands.

Rosen has been linked to both the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings in trade speculation.

The last time the Cardinals owned the first overall pick was in 1958. They took a QB then, selecting King Hill of Rice.

Is Nick’s Time Up?

Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa was viewed as the likely first overall pick for much of the season, but that ship looks to have sailed.

He’s the second betting choice, so should you think about maybe even a small wager on him at +150? That would be wasted money.

Murray is the man. It’s becoming clearer every day.

Teams are lining up, salivating at the hope of getting a shot at drafting the Oklahoma QB.

The NFL is trending toward mobile QBs. Murray fits that mold perhaps better than any QB out there today. His improvisational skills allow him to make something out of nothing when a play falls apart or simply isn’t there.

The Cardinals can’t afford not to take him.

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