Kyler Murray Ranked #14 QB by 50 NFL Coaches

Background: Dec 22, 2019; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles with the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig

The Atlantic’s Mike Sando (former Cardinals’ beat writer for ESPN) complied the results of the top 35 ranked QBs in the NFL based on the votes of 50 NFL coaches and talent evaluators.

As you will see from the results, the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray received an impressive amount of respect from the voters.

Tier 1: Elite

1. T—-Patrick Mahomes, KC; Russell Wilson, SEA

3. Aaron Rodgers, GB

4. Drew Brees, NO

5. Deshaun Watson, HOU

Tier 2: Can Carry Team at Times

6. Tom Brady, TB

7. Lamar Jackson, BAL

8. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT

9. Matthew Stafford, DET

10. Matt Ryan, ATL

11. Carson Wentz, PHI

12. Dak Prescott, DAL

13. Philip Rivers, IND

Tier 3: Legitimate Starter Who May Need Good Running Game and Defense to Win

14. Kyler Murray, ARI

15. Kirk Cousins, MIN

16. Jared Goff, LAR

17. Jimmy Garoppolo, SF

18. Ryan Tannehill, TEN

19. Cam Newton, NE

20. Derek Carr, LV

21. Baker Mayfield, CLE

22. Josh Allen, BUF

23. Teddy Bridgewater, CAR

24. Sam Darnold, NYJ

25. Daniel Jones, NYG

26. Nick Foles, CHI

Tier 4: Unproven Player With Some Upside as Starter or Backup

27. Marcus Mariota, LV

28. Ryan Fitzpatrick, MIA

29. Tyrod Taylor, LAC

30. Drew Lock, DEN

31. Gardner Minshew, JAX

32. Mitch Trubisky, CHI

33. Dwayne Haskins, WAS

34. Jarrett Stidham, NE

35. Kyle Allen, WAS

What’s Noteworthy About Murray’s Evaluation:

• Typically 2nd year QB get ranked in Tier 4 by the coaches and evaluators, as both Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson were going into their 2nd years. But, neither Mahomes nor Jackson started all 16 games as a rookie.
• Highest Paid NFL QBs 2020 in cash:

1. Russell Wilson (Seahawks) – $53 million
2. Kirk Cousins (Vikings) – $40 million
3. Carson Wentz (Eagles) – $39.3 million
4. Ryan Tannehill (Titans) – $37.5 million
5. Jared Goff (Rams) – $31 million
6. Dak Prescott (Cowboys) – $30 million
7. Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers) – $25.2 million
8. Tom Brady (Buccaneers), Drew Brees (Saints), and Philip Rivers (Colts) – $25 million
9. Teddy Bridgewater (Panthers) – $24 million
10. Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) – $21 million

• Kyler Murray in his 2nd year is ranked above 5 of the top 10 highest paid QBs.
• “His movement and escapability drives defenses crazy and he throws the ball deep extremely well,” an offensive coordinator said.
• “I think the kid is going to be really good,” a defensive coach said. “He knows when to run, he knows when to pass, he does not turn the ball over much and that little joker can throw. They are going to be better. I’m not ready to give the kid Tier 2 yet, but I think he is a legitimate starter and he will jump fast.”
• Only 1 QB drafted in the last 3 years (2017, 2018, 2019) is ahead of him in the rankings: Lamar Jackson, and he is coming off an MVP year.

Commentary:

Some of the evaluations for Kyler Murray this off-season have not been especially kind—-see Madden Football and PFF, for example.

However, it must be encouraging for K1 to know that NFL coaches have a very high opinion of him and that, in just his second season, he cracked the NFL top 100 list at #90, per NFL.com.

I think Kyler deserves the encouragement. Do you?