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Are the Cardinals taking Kyler Murray with the first pick?

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 01, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 01, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Barring an offer that general manager Steve Keim can’t refuse, the Arizona Cardinals will make quarterback Kyler Murray the first pick in this year’s draft?

The “N” in the National Football League can stand for Never…as in Never Say Never. But barring something unforeseen over the next few hours, the Arizona Cardinals are getting ready to draft a quarterback in the first round for the second consecutive year.

Last April, general manager Steve Keim traded up to the No. 10 spot to take UCLA’s Josh Rosen. He would go onto to supplant veteran Sam Bradford early in the year and start 13 games. The Cards would finish 3-13 and the club ranked dead last in the league in total offense, rushing yards per game, passing yards and points scored. It was a dreadful showing for a team led by first-time NFL head coach Steve Wilks and he would be relieved of his job at season’s end.

Enter Kliff Kingsbury, who will also make his NFL head coaching debut with this franchise. He takes over a team in dire need of a jump start on offense. His track record in college in terms of putting points on the board is well known. And his relationship with 2018 Heisman Trophy winner and former University of Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray has been documented as well.

It all makes perfect sense. The Cardinals need a spark and hope to emulate recent teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears as franchises who brought in young offensive minds such as Sean McVay and Matt Nagy, respectively.

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In 2018, the Cardinals averaged only 241.6 total yards per game. Their offensive unit produced on 24 touchdowns. The team allowed 52 sacks and committed 28 turnovers. The club managed only 14.1 points per game. That’s not all on Rosen, who took a licking and kept on pitching. The electrifying and fleet-footed Murray could make life easier for everyone on offense, including the men up front.

Perhaps it comes down to this. It’s been said if the Kingsbury was not hired as the team’s head coach, then the former Sooner signal-caller would not be in the discussion when it comes to the first overall pick. And that’s exactly why sometime after 8:00 pm ET in Nashville, Tennessee, the Arizona Cardinals will make Kyler Murray the draft’s No. 1 selection.

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