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Every year, the NFL Draft has a prospect that many view to be polarizing.
In 2018, everyone wanted Lamar Jackson to convert to wide receiver. “He couldn’t play in the NFL” some people would say. It was absurd, to say the least. And Laremy Tunsil was the guy in 2016, that fell mercifully into the Dolphins’ lap. He was as polarizing as any prospect, when his last-minute video went viral.
The guy that creates a lot of buzz in this year’s draft, is 5’10 Heisman Trophy winner, Kyler Murray.
Murray is a unique talent, that posses an NFL arm, above-average accuracy, and a cannon. His ability to make plays on the ground, are an added bonus. As a one-year starter at Oklahoma, Murray led the Sooners to a 12-2 record.
During the 2018 season, Murray threw for 4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He added another 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Those numbers were enough to push him over Dwayne Haskins and Tua Tagovailoa. He’s that good.
And then there’s the idea that he might play Major League Baseball.
After-all, Murray was drafted by the Oakland Athletics 9th-overall in the 2018 draft. His agent Scott Boras believes he will go that route, but with the deadline to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft quickly approaching, Murray declared, confirming his intent to play professional football.
Kyler Murray has the potential to revolutionize the NFL. He is almost certainly going to be a top-10 pick, so if he’s Chris Grier’s guy, they may need to break into their future capital. Nonetheless, Kyler Murray is a stud and everything the Dolphins need to turnaround their struggling franchise.
Here is a film breakdown of Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray.
BIO
Height: 5’ 10
Weight: 195-pounds
Hometown: Allen, Texas
Throws: Right’
40 time: 4.38
Games watched: [ vs Texas, @ West Virginia, vs Texas, vs Alabama ]
PROS
Kyler Murray is only 21-years old, but he plays the game like a seasoned-veteran. He has an NFL arm and possess the ability to throw a near perfect ball with the flick of the wrist.
This is an NFL throw that Murray makes look effortlessly.
3-step drop, scans the underneath route before throwing a dime over-top of the defense.
kyler murray has an NFL arm and consistently makes these type of throws. well placed ball on the corner route. pic.twitter.com/BJbeNBireR
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 20, 2019
This is one of the more impressive throws I saw on tape.
Chris Collinsworth loves to say “RPO”, which stands for read, pass, option. Here, Murray freezes the linebackers with the fake, looks to the left, before coming back to the receiver down the seam. The ball is placed perfectly on the outside shoulder, just in-between both defenders. Heck of a throw.
I’m not sure you can make a better throw than this. and what’s most impressive is how easy he makes it look. pic.twitter.com/n5f8TTPNnF
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 20, 2019
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is one of the nation’s top wide receivers, and will probably go in the first round of April’s draft. So it’s no wonder he roasted his man- the way NFL wide receivers roast Brent Grimes-and had two or three steps on the defender. With the flick of the wrist, Murray threw a strike which led to a touchdown. It wasn’t a perfect throw, but impressive nonetheless.
a bit underthrown, but you can see how effortless his release is. doesn’t hurt that the WR-hollywood brown- is wide open. pic.twitter.com/W19YNbIlHp
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 20, 2019
Here’s another big play to “Hollywood” Brown. This time Murray throws a better ball that hits his receiver in stride. This is exactly why it’s hard not to get excited about his potential. He can do it all.
hollywood brown is a special WR. murray puts the ball where it needs to be 50 yards down field. pic.twitter.com/9z7Mmx2YeJ
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 20, 2019
And another one...
credit the WR with making the grab, but murray throws a dime deep downfield. pic.twitter.com/EQ3xuNUBGq
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 21, 2019
West Virginia decides to bring the heat and Murray remains calm and delivers a beautiful raindrop.
beautiful touch pass. pic.twitter.com/5IheepiTyA
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 20, 2019
In this play, you see how dangerous a quarterback with Murray’s athleticism can be.
First, the defense must account for the alleged hand-off. Second, they must account for the quarterback that runs extremely well, sprinting to the left. Once they begin to attack the line of scrimmage, Murray pulls back and lets the ball rip for a big gain.
plays like this are what makes murray so special. be fakes the handoff, rolls to the outside, sells the run and completes a pass to the receiver in stride. pic.twitter.com/5x5FCDjNHH
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 21, 2019
Murray moves around in the pocket fluidly and has a great sense of pressure. Here, you can see his accuracy as he puts the ball where only his wide receiver can get it. Hell of a one-handed catch, with an even better throw. $$$$$
two-step drop, murray puts the ball where only the WR can get it. style points for the one-handed catch pic.twitter.com/nUsm0a8Ors
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 21, 2019
This is just incredible.
hell of a throw, as murray is fading to the left. unbalanced af and he still throws a perfect ball over a defender. pic.twitter.com/IpQOrDhror
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 21, 2019
Murray’s mechanics are a thing of beauty, and this is one of the better throws you will see when watching this year’s quarterback prospects. Perfectly thrown ball on the deep slant that results in a touchdown.
and to think some people believe he should play baseball. pic.twitter.com/jC6SXv3Q2z
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 21, 2019
Here, you see what Kyler Murray can do with his legs.
here’s another explosive run by murray. 55-yards for a TD. he’s special. pic.twitter.com/qO8ZNYxCkO
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 20, 2019
CONS
Obviously, when discussing a 5’10 quarterback, you have to expect passes to be batted down at the line. In the four games I watched, this happened a lot less than you may have expected. Which tells me two things..
A) Murray has a great understanding of how to manipulate passing lanes.
B) His offensive line was as good as advertised (it was).
C) He’s just that damn good.
D) All of the above
Here is one of the few batted balls I witnessed in my brief time.
this will be a concern of many, as a 5’10 QB proves he can play in the NFL. let’s say, I saw way more batted balls during tannehill’s rookie season than in the handful of oklahoma games I’ve watched. pic.twitter.com/2lTHw0WeSY
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 22, 2019
Like many quarterbacks, Murray does have a tendency to make mistakes by trying to do too much at times.
In this play, Murray rolls to the left and forces a bad throw into double coverage. Worst of all, he had plenty of time to look elsewhere, throw the ball away, or even try to beat the defender to the outside with his legs.
here on 2nd and long, murray makes a poor decision and forces a bad ball into double-coverage. rushed the throw and probably should have tried to get to the outside. pic.twitter.com/dzxzJgv6dD
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 20, 2019
There’s a myth out there that Murray can’t take a hit. I do think in the NFL, it will be a legit concern. But great quarterbacks find a way to allude pressure and I think that’s what he will do. Nonetheless, here is NFL-sized hit that Murray survived.
bUt KyLeR mURrAY cAN’t TaKE a hIT pic.twitter.com/H6ODISkYrz
— josh houtz (@houtz) January 22, 2019
If you want to see more GIFS from my film breakdown, click here.
CONCLUSION
Kyler Murray is everything you want in an NFL quarterback, except for his size. In a perfect world, he would be two inches taller, but so what? The game of football continues to evolve and duel-threat quarterbacks are slowly becoming the future. Murray is the ultimate duel-threat quarterback and can do elite things with his arm, in addition to his legs. Yes, he will need to bulk up a little, but if he’s available at 13, you run to the podium.
It has been 36 years since the Dolphins drafted a quarterback that made a true difference on the field. His name was Dan Marino. Ironically enough, he’s been heavily involved in the search for Miami’s next quarterback. Certainly, the GOAT can see what a Kyler Murray could not only do for the offense, but the franchise in it’s entirety.
Murray would sell tickets, in a year that many expect to be a rebuild.
Most importantly, he brings a play-making ability that has been non-existent in Miami. He has the arm, he has the accuracy, he has the footwork, he has the intelligence, but most importantly, he has the heart. Murray hears the critics, and will be out to prove he is as good as advertised. He’s a pocket-sized Russell Wilson.
Not only that, but if he changes his mind and chooses baseball, or ultimately sputters out due to the size limitations, the Dolphins would likely be inline for a high-draft pick in 2021, when the real “Belle of the Ball” declares.
Kyler Murray can save the Miami Dolphins, and Chris Grier should do whatever it takes to get him to South Beach.
#MurrayToMiami
Poll
Should the Dolphins draft Kyler Murray?
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This article was written by Josh Houtz. You can follow him on Twitter at @houtz