NFL Draft Mock 5.0: Two-round mock, post-free agency

The Cardinals interest in Kyler Murray defies all kinds of logic. The Cardinals traded up in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft to pick Josh Rosen last year. Josh Rosen was a borderline elite prospect coming out of college, and he showed flashes despite being the victim of an all-around awful situation.

Now situated with the No. 1 overall pick, the Cardinals could add more top-end talent to help Rosen, and to build around him as their franchise quarterback. Instead, it seems as if the Cardinals want to start over again, pick Kyler Murray, and pass up the chance to construct their core a year early.

The Cardinals interest in Murray defies logic; Murray would come at a higher cost than simply keeping Rosen. But at the same time, the interest, in a certain light, makes sense. Kliff Kingsbury is the Cardinals new head coach, and he’s been advertised as a radical, outside-the-box thinker. He has a pre-existing connection with Kyler Murray, and while he’s given votes of confidence to Rosen, Kingsbury’s interest in Murray, and his interest to have his “own guy”, is very realistic.

Will the Cardinals’ interest prove to be genuine? That remains to be seen. But Kingsbury and Steve Keim are hard to predict. They’ll do what it takes to instill Kingsbury’s new vision, even if that involves moving backwards at quarterback. In the event that Murray is selected, the Redskins would have to pick up the phone for Rosen immediately.