Redskins no longer planning to host Kyler Murray on visit
By Ian Cummings
The Washington Redskins were, at one point, planning to host Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray on a pre-draft visit. Those plans have now changed.
The Washington Redskins have made painstakingly clear their need for a new quarterback in the 2019 NFL Draft, after losing Alex Smith to injury. Jay Gruden said the team would do their due diligence, and they’ve done just that, hosting quarterbacks such as Drew Lock, Daniel Jones, Dwayne Haskins, Will Grier, Jarrett Stidham, and Clayton Thorson on visits.
From the crop of quarterbacks visiting, there was one notable name missing: Kyler Murray. The 2018 Heismann winner is considered the best quarterback prospect in the NFL Draft. And at one point, it was reported that the Redskins would be hosting Murray on a visit, despite the likelihood of his selection at No. 1 overall. Now, however, per NFL Network’s Steve Wyche, that visit has been canceled.
Was just told by someone with knowledge of the scheduled visit that Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray no longer plans to meet with the Washington Redskins this week.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) April 16, 2019
The cancelation of the Redskins visit with Murray likely isn’t based off of Murray’s talent; Bruce Allen is on the record gushing about Murray and his skills, and on tape, it’s very clear why Murray is one of the best prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft. Murray brings an enticing blend of blazing speed and precise arm talent and accuracy, and he has the skills to become one of the most explosive quarterbacks in the NFL.
That may, in fact, tie into the reason for the cancellation of the visit. Murray is very talented, and in a quarterback class with its fair share of question marks, the 5-foot-10 signal caller has naturally risen to the top. He sets himself apart with his accuracy and his playmaking ability, and at the very least, he shouldn’t make it out of the top three. There’s also a strong possibility the Cardinals take him at No. 1 overall.
Next. Three late-round gems for the Redskins to target. dark
The Redskins would have to trade a great deal of assets to move in position to select Murray, and for now, they don’t even know if he’ll make it past the No. 1 overall pick. For the Redskins, Murray would be the best option at quarterback in the 2019 NFL Draft, but he’s also the least realistic addition of the prospects available, and they can spend their time exploring more feasible options.