Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray has committed to playing in the NFL. The Heisman Trophy winner, who was picked in the top 10 of the 2018 MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics, announced Monday that he is "fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback." He'll be at the combine later this month as he prepares for the 2019 NFL draft.
Murray, who had 54 total touchdowns and just seven interceptions for the Sooners last season, is ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in this class by ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Kiper had him No. 8 overall in his latest Big Board, and McShay pegged him to the Dolphins at No. 13 in his latest Mock Draft.
Murray is only 5-foot-10, but Kiper called him "one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks I've ever seen" in December, and there will be buzz around him leading up until the draft on April 25.
We asked our experts to weigh in on Murray's NFL potential and perfect fit in this draft:
Where is Murray's perfect fit -- which team would you love to see him take him?
Matt Bowen, NFL writer: Cardinals. New coach Kliff Kingsbury can build his system around Josh Rosen. But if we are talking about a perfect fit, where Kingsbury can also utilize the creativity of his QB-designed runs/run-pass options to mesh with his traditional spread/Air Raid pass concepts? Then it's Murray running the show. And that would cost the No. 1 overall pick.
Mike Clay, fantasy writer: Jaguars. Even after some offseason cap casualties, Jacksonville, which has the No. 7 overall pick, will still be loaded on defense while also maintaining a run-heavy offensive mindset. That's a good situation for a relatively raw 21-year-old rookie quarterback. It's also a situation in which Murray can get on the field quickly and avoid cold/inclement weather most of the year.
Dan Graziano, national NFL writer: Giants. Now, mark my words here: There is ZERO chance of this happening. I'll eat my socks on live TV if GM Dave Gettleman drafts a quarterback in the first round who's close to 5-foot-9. But in a hypothetical fantasy world in which the Giants, who have the No. 6 pick, occasionally broke from decades-old philosophies and patterns, this kid would fire up a locker room full of electrifying talent.
Mike Sando, senior NFL writer: Cardinals. Because Kingsbury has expressed such an affinity for him. Murray would also bring excitement to an organization that needs a spark.
Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: Patriots. What better place for Murray to end up than on a team with no defined scheme? The Patriots commit to whatever their players can do best. I'd love to see how Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick could develop Murray. In the meantime, how might they use him with 41-year-old Tom Brady still in the lineup?
Field Yates, NFL analyst: Bengals. I'm fully on board with this idea, as Murray would represent the quarterback of the future for new coach Zac Taylor to build the roster and offense around. Murray might not be the immediate starter with Andy Dalton still in tow, but for an organization that I believe needs an infusion of energy and identity, selecting Murray -- who also would be a major addition on the field -- goes a long way.
Darren Woodson and Victor Cruz react to Kyler Murray declaring he is firmly committed to playing in the NFL.
You're the GM of a team with a top-10 pick and an uncertain future at quarterback: Would you be willing to draft Murray in the top 10?
Bowen: Yes. Even with the concerns about Murray's size in the pocket, the pro traits and intangibles jump off the film. That's the quick release to get the ball out with accuracy and the arm to make every throw. His athleticism pops. Plus, Murray played in a system under Lincoln Riley that will translate to today's modern pro game.
Clay: Absolutely. Granted he's a bit taller, but Baker Mayfield -- Murray's predecessor at Oklahoma -- was knocked for his size leading up to last year's draft. Mayfield overcame his height with off-the-charts efficiency, and Murray followed in his footsteps in 2018, while also adding 1,001 rushing yards. Murray is a terrific athlete with massive upside and fits well with the way the NFL has evolved.
Graziano: Yes. The size concern is legit, but the way the NFL game is mimicking the college game more and more, there's ample reason to believe someone of Murray's skills and collegiate accomplishments can be worthy of a top-10 pick.
Sando: Yes, I'd be willing to select him that early if I had the need and my playcaller thought Murray would be a good fit. Put another way, I would not rule out Murray as a top-10 consideration simply because he doesn't fit the traditional quarterback template from a physical standpoint.
Seifert: Yes ... with an important caveat. Does this GM have a coach who is intellectually flexible enough to make the most of Murray's substantial skills? Or will he take any drafted quarterback and try to shoehorn him into an ill-fitting scheme? Every coach says they want to maximize their quarterback's best attributes, but only some of them have the bandwidth to do it.
Yates: Yes. The reality is that a team looking for a quarterback early in the draft could well need to move into a top-10 slot. Over the past 17 years, at least one quarterback has been drafted in the top three picks in 16 of those drafts. Some in the NFL are still in full evaluation mode of Murray, but I suspect his name will be called early in April.