© Brian Spurlock | 2019 Mar 2
Even though he didn’t participate in any drills at last week’s NFL Combine, Kyler Murray apparently turned some heads. That’s not necessarily a good thing.
According to former GM Charlie Casserly of NFL Network, teams that interviewed the Heisman Trophy winner came away less than impressed.
“(He) better hope (Kliff) Kingsbury takes him No. 1 because this was not good,” Casserly said. “These were the worst comments I ever got on a high-rated quarterback and I’ve been doing this a long time…Leadership — not good. Study habits — not good. The board work — below not good. Not good at all in any of those areas, raising major concerns about what this guy is going to do.
“Now, people will say we’re going to compare him to (Patrick) Mahomes, we’re going to run an offense like Mahomes, we’re going to run an offense like Baker Mayfield…But those guys are much different. Those guys, you never questioned them about their ability on board, you never questioned their leadership ability, their work habits. They were outstanding in those areas. This guy is not outstanding in those areas and it showed up in the interview.”
Full comments from @CharleyCasserly on Kyler Murray here: pic.twitter.com/tcUIckfGRU
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) March 5, 2019
Further comments from @CharleyCasserly on Kyler Murray’s interviews at the Combine from @nflnetwork‘s Up to the Minute today pic.twitter.com/IRbA1nTAUI
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) March 5, 2019
Murray is mocked by most to go as an early-to-mid first round pick, but his stock seemed to be rising in the weeks leading up to the combine. There is also buzz that new Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury is more fond of Murray than the recently drafted Josh Rosen. Reports surfaced a day ago that Kingsbury is straight up telling people he’s going to draft Murray with the No. 1 overall pick.
Murray going to the Cardinals would be a dream scenario for the 49ers, would would then in all likelihood take pass rusher Nick Bosa at No. 2 overall. Bosa is considered by most draft experts to be the best prospect in the draft.
If Kingsbury truly has his heart set on Murray this report probably won’t change things. If it does, that’s bad news for John Lynch and Co.