NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Quarterbacks rise post-combine, Redskins land pass catcher

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to throw against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)

After the NFL Combine, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Kyler Murray is going to be the top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Murray, a dynamic athlete with great arm talent, measured in at just over 5-10 at the combine, quelling concerns that previously existed about his height. Of course, one inch doesn’t necessarily make a huge difference, but in this case, it makes him more comparable to Russell Wilson.

At Oklahoma, Murray helped lead the team to the College Football Playoff. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. He won the Heisman trophy as well, and it was abundantly clear that he was Oklahoma’s MVP, as they wouldn’t have sniffed the playoff without him carrying the offense to victory.

Though Murray played in an open spread offense in the Big 12, he demonstrated excellent ball placement and showed an ability to make every throw. He also has excellent scrambling ability and will be able to throw on the run at the NFL level. His athleticism is a major plus, in that regard.

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In the event that the Cardinals do draft Murray, they would almost certainly look to offload Josh Rosen to pick up more assets to build around at quarterback. Rosen, a top-10 pick last year, has a lot of talent and would likely fetch at least a second-round pick in a deal. Still, the Redskins should have interest in him, as there is no better cheap fit available on the market.

It’s also possible that the Cardinals could be artificially inflating Murray’s draft stock in hopes of another team trading up to the top spot to get him. In this case, they would get a king’s ransom for the top pick and build around Rosen for the 2019 season. The Raiders seem to be the team most frequently linked to Murray, so perhaps they could trade up from the fourth spot to make a deal happen.

The Redskins have been mentioned in connection to him as well, but seeing them move up to the top spot would be a surprise.

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