The Cardinals hold the keys to the NFL draft, and some think it is not a lock for them to draft Kyler Murray
- The Arizona Cardinals could hold the keys to the NFL draft with the No. 1 pick.
- The Cardinals are rumored to be interested in taking Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the top pick, but if they don't, it could create a scramble for quarterback-needy teams to move up in the draft to take Murray.
- If the Cardinals do take Murray No. 1, they could create another chase for a quarterback by offering to trade second-year quarterback Josh Rosen, who was the 10th pick last year.
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The NFL draft is just days away, and perhaps the most interesting plot revolves around what the Arizona Cardinals do with the No. 1 pick.
To some, the debate is already over - the Cardinals will take Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, who he knows and has praised since getting the Cardinals job.
But perhaps there is still some mystery regarding the No. 1 pick, and it could throw the rest of the draft for a loop.
Furthermore, The Los Angeles Times' Sam Farmer, who does his mock draft by speaking to veteran team beat reporters, quoted Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, who believes the Cardinals will not go with a quarterback.
"The Cardinals like Josh Rosen, and I don't see them taking a quarterback in the first round two years in a row. They need help on the defensive line, and Williams would immediately provide that," Somers told Farmer.
If the Cardinals were to take Williams and Murray fell to the second pick, the San Francisco 49ers would have a difficult decision to make, and it could throw the draft into chaos.
Both King and Farmer have the 49ers taking Bosa with the second pick. But if Murray, the Heisman Trophy winner and the widely regarded best quarterback in the draft, is available, teams with a need for a quarterback could scramble to move up to get him. The 49ers need a pass-rusher, but they could also be faced with the possibility of swapping high first-round picks, plus getting an extra pick or two back in the trade.
Teams like the Oakland Raiders (fourth pick), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (fifth), New York Giants (sixth) Denver Broncos (10th), Miami Dolphins (13th), and Washington Redskins (15th) are all in the market for a quarterback. If Murray is available, perhaps they would weigh the price of moving up to get the best guy instead of whoever is available after Murray.
There could be another quarterback scramble if the Cardinals do the expected and draft Murray.
Taking Murray would leave second-year quarterback Josh Rosen in an awkward spot. Rosen has already called the speculation about the Cardinals taking Murray "annoying." He likely would not want to be a backup to Murray.
It's unclear what the price for Rosen would be if the Cardinals decide to move on from him. King suggested some teams could offer a third-round pick for him. Despite a rough rookie season, moving the 2018 10th overall pick for a third-rounder could be selling low. Would any of the quarterback-needy teams be willing to pay more to acquire the 22-year-old Rosen?
The draft always comes down to a race for quarterbacks. This year, with one quarterback clear above the others, and several teams in need at the position, Thursday could be set up for chaos.
- Read more:
- The Raiders sent their scouts home 6 days before the draft because the new GM reportedly 'does not know who he can trust with his draft secrets'
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go 49 days without playing a home game and the man in charge of making the NFL schedule said he'd 'love to take another shot'
- Evidence shows NFL teams are better off drafting quarterbacks with strong mental skills and mechanics over QBs who are just physically gifted