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Big shoes to fill: Replacing 2019 NFL Draft first round picks

By Cody Williams

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young (2) reacts after getting the sack against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten championship game on December 1, 2018 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young (2) reacts after getting the sack against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten championship game on December 1, 2018 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Jalen Hurts – Oklahoma

Replacing: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Replacing Mayfield last year was not going to be easy, but Kyler Murray made it look that way as he stepped into Lincoln Riley’s offense in Norman. The two-sport star was an electric force for the Sooners from start to finish on the year, truthfully dispelling a lot of concerns about other parts of the team (particularly on defense) with his otherworldly performance.

En route to winning the Heisman Trophy, Murray threw for 4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in 14 games. Ever the athlete, the quarterback also notched 1,001 rushing yards on the year for an additional 12 trips to the end zone. It feels safe to say that hardly anyone could come into the Oklahoma offense and replicate that kind of production, no matter how good the system is under Riley’s watch.

Having said that, the Sooners find themselves with few questions about who will replace Murray in 2019. Former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts will take the reins of the Oklahoma offense after transferring. Over two seasons as a starter before being usurped by Tua Tagovailoa last season, Hurts threw for 4,861 yards, 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 29 games while rushing for 1,809 yards and 21 touchdowns as well.

Hurts has not proven to be the same level of passer that Mayfield and Murray are. However, the veteran college football quarterback has proven that he can be successful and will have a quarterback-friendly scheme behind him. Again, it’s impossible to replace another Heisman-winning quarterback, but having Hurts take over is about as good of a replacement as they could ask for.

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