Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray expected to declare for the NFL Draft
By Brian Miller
The NFL Draft is still a few months away but it is getting a quarterback boost as Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray is expected to declare for 2019.
2019 was supposed to be a weak draft class but it appears that it will be deeper than expected. Kyler Murray is expected to declare for the draft by the January 15th deadline for undersclassmen. Drafted by the Oakland A’s in the first round of the 2018 draft, Murray was expected to choose baseball over football but that has now changed and the A’s believe that Murray will go to the NFL.
Murray signed a deal with the A’s that carried a $14 million signing bonus that he will have to return but now he could be the number one overall pick which would likely double that in guaranteed money.
How does this impact the Miami Dolphins? In reality it shouldn’t. The Dolphins will select in the 13th spot of the Draft and while they need a quarterback, the price to jump up into the top three is going to carry a big price which could include two first round picks.
With Murray likely to be the top QB of the draft and Ohio States’ Dwayne Haskins also declared, two top QB’s will be fought over this year. For the Dolphins moving up might be an issue as the team tries to rebuild on both sides of the ball. They need draft picks.
Miami would face competition from Denver who needs a quarterback as well as the New York Giants who select 6th in the first round. There is also “speculation” from Adam Schefter that the Cardinals, should they really like Murray, could draft him and then try and trade last years 10th overall pick Josh Rosen.
The Dolphins could stand pat and skip trading up for a signal caller and instead trade back and add another pick or two. At that point they could look at Drew Lock or Daniel Jones as options for quarterback.
Regardless, with Murray now entering the draft the Dolphins will be a hot topic between now and the end of April as a team with interest in moving up. For the record, regardless of Murray joining the draft eligible players, the Dolphins should stay at 13 or move down, not up.