Kyler Murray can be an NFL quarterback. He has an NFL arm, and his speed and athleticism is unique for the position. Just put on the tape of his Heisman Trophy-winning season at Oklahoma. Pro traits are all over it.
Now, there has never been an NFL signal-caller built like him. He's listed at 5-foot-10 but might be closer to 5-9. And he doesn't have the body type of Russell Wilson, who's 5-11 but built like a safety. That is why Murray won't be a guaranteed first-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
A smart NFL coach and offensive coordinator, however, would take advantage of Murray's skill set even if he wasn't picked in Round 1.
Let's pick five team fits and situations in which Murray could thrive in 2019, plus the coaches who could get the best out of him.
Note: Murray announced on Jan. 14 that he's entering the NFL draft. This story was originally published on Dec. 28, 2018.
1. Tennessee Titans
The Titans picked up Marcus Mariota's fifth-year option, so he's locked in for 2019. But the former No. 2 overall pick's rookie deal is up after next season, and Tennessee could use the year to decide if it wants to commit to him long term. Given Mariota's injury history, plus his inconsistent play in new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur's offense, the Titans could be a prime candidate to target Murray.
How would Murray fit here? Just look at how LeFleur adjusted his call sheet for Mariota, who rushed for 2,237 yards in college at Oregon but hadn't been used consistently in the QB run game in his first three NFL seasons. The Titans rank No. 5 in the NFL on rushing yards off zone-read/option plays -- 283 -- and we know the core route concepts would mesh with Murray's game. Think of the outside zone-run action paired to the intermediate throws in LaFleur's route tree. Create the open window, just as Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley called up for Murray in the clip below against TCU. Stretch/outside zone with the inside, rhythm throw.
Kyler Murray throws his third touchdown pass of the game vs. TCU, his second to Lee Morris.
Mariota could flourish in LaFleur's offense in 2019, his second year in the system. There's an expected bump for QBs in that situation. But with the Titans registering only 55 explosive offensive plays this season -- third fewest in the league -- landing Murray gives Tennessee a big-play threat at the position if Mariota isn't the answer.
Note: LaFleur was hired as the Packers' new coach after this story was published.
2. New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees turns 40 next month, and if the Saints let backup Teddy Bridgewater walk in free agency, I like the idea of New Orleans targeting Murray and developing him in Sean Payton's system. As we've seen this season, Payton will think outside of the box with his personnel. Just look at the versatility of Taysom Hill and the QB-designed runs in Payton's game plan. Hill has rushed for 185 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries in 2018.
In addition to the stress Murray could create for opposing NFL defenses in the QB run game, however, his quick release, accuracy and ball velocity can be featured in the passing game. Just look at Murray ripping the throw up the seam off play-action against Baylor in the clip below.
Kyle Murray finds Lee Morris wide open for a 43-yard touchdown as Oklahoma increases its lead over Baylor.
Payton is still the league's best playcaller when it comes to creating and exposing matchups. He can jump into 22 personnel (2RB-2TE-1WR) and hammer the ball downhill in the run game. He can generate open windows off play-action and misdirection or use leveled reads to influence defenders. Or he can simply spread out his playmakers to attack in the short to intermediate passing game. I would love to see Payton design specific plays for Murray right away while developing him to become the eventual starter in New Orleans.
3. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are expected to move on from veteran Joe Flacco this offseason, and we've already seen coordinator Marty Mornhinweg change the entire offense for rookie Lamar Jackson. The game plan has been molded to fit Jackson's strengths with more designed runs, play-action, movement throws, run-pass options (RPOs) and inside verticals. That's a perfect fit for Murray, who has shown the ability to run the rock at Oklahoma, rushing for 892 yards on 123 carries this season.
Plus, the RPO and QB run designs carry over from Riley's offense, such as this lead draw in the clip below, when Murray ripped off an explosive play in the victory over Kansas.
Kyler Murray continues his stellar play as he finds Lee Morris for a 46-yard Oklahoma touchdown.
The question: Why would Baltimore add another quarterback after drafting Jackson in the first round last April? For starters, it gives John Harbaugh and his staff an opportunity to build up their depth and develop another player in the system. And it gives the Ravens some insurance with the number of runs -- and hits -- Jackson already has taken. He has carried the ball 127 times for 605 yards and three scores this season. Since he became the starter in Week 11, Jackson has 99 carries -- an average of 16.5 per game. That's a huge number for an NFL quarterback.
I expect the Ravens' system to expand with Jackson in 2019. They have an entire offseason to build the passing game to facilitate more development. But the QB runs will always be a weapon for the Ravens, and that makes them a tough offense to plan against. Adding another quarterback who displays the upper-tier speed and open-field ability of Murray fits the offensive system in Baltimore.
4. Chicago Bears
The arrow is starting to point up on second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in new coach Matt Nagy's system. With his athleticism, vertical throws inside the numbers and ability to anticipate open windows, Trubisky is improving, and Nagy can script a productive game plan with those skills at the quarterback position. The tape tells us Trubisky is still developing the necessary traits to play consistently, however, and Nagy's knack for creativity on the call sheet opens the door to adding more depth and big-play ability in the quarterback room.
Under Nagy, the Bears rank No. 4 in the league in rushing yards off zone-read/options runs at 420, and they want to push the ball down the field, with 71 passes of 20 yards or more. That's good for the seventh-most attempts in the NFL. And we know Murray can make plays over the top of the defense. Plus, with Nagy's ability to generate misdirection in the game plan, it creates a road map for the QB: Get that open window, like Riley dialed up against Kansas State. Split-flow backfield action, show the bubble screen and clear space for Murray to throw the inside glance route. House call in the clip below.
Given the multiple personnel groupings and unique formation looks from Nagy this season, adding Murray would give the Bears another weapon. And I would bet on Nagy to feature Murray in situations that generate explosive plays while he develops and gets used to the NFL game.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson is the unquestioned starter for the Seahawks, but why not put Murray as the No. 2 here? Brian Schottenheimer's run-heavy system features the zone-read and an efficient passing game, and Murray has the skill set to excel; he just put up the highest passing efficiency season in college football history.
The Seahawks rank No. 1 with 857 rushing yards on zone-read/option runs. That's Wilson in the gun reading the end man on the line of scrimmage. And the play-action, which leads to deep-ball windows, has allowed Wilson to dial up vertical throws off leveled routes. Again, this is a key trait in Riley's system. Just take a look at the touchdown throw against Texas Tech on the flood concept in the clip below. It's a boot scheme there, with Murray targeting the third level for the score.
As I said, the system works for Murray, and backup Brett Hundley is a free agent in 2019, leaving Wilson as the only quarterback on the roster. Murray would be allowed to develop behind Wilson here.