Arizona Cardinals: Drafting Kyler Murray is a smart gamble into the future of the NFL

The Arizona Cardinals have decided to go all in with the selection of Kyler Murray at No. 1 overall.

The Arizona Cardinals did it. Despite trading up to draft quarterback Josh Rosen at No. 10 overall last year, the Redbirds took Heisman trophy winner Kyler Murray at No. 1 overall, and will likely never look back.

Notwithstanding the boldness of the move, there’s a logical reason why the Cardinals decided to re-up on a young shot-caller; Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Without Kingsbury in the fold, this pick may not have happened, actually, it wouldn’t have. It’s risky, unheard of even, but the upside is of a potential NFL dynasty.

Kingsbury’s famed Air Raid offense coupled with Kyler Murray’s arm and dual-threat abilities mean that the Cardinals (including Kingsbury) don’t have excuses. Murray is the best prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft class to run that offense and showed just that in his one-year starting stint for the Oklahoma Sooners last year. He’s Kingsbury’s hand-picked signal caller, and if it doesn’t work, both may be out of the desert.

What the 5-foot-10, 207-pound shot-caller lacks in size, he makes up for in a competitive mindset and a skill set that has earned comparisons to Patrick Mahomes with his arm and Michael Vick with his legs. Even better for the Cardinals, the offense he managed to the tune of 5,365 total yards (1,001 rushing) and 54 total touchdowns (12 rushing), is very similar to Kingsbury’s.

For the Cardinals, the hope is that the uber-talented Murray’s skillset pairs with Kingsbury’s offense. But Kingsbury recruited him out of high school, and drafted him for a reason; he’s built to run his offense. If it all works out as expected, the Cardinals will not only bring the Air Raid to the forefront, but they will also change the way the NFL is played.

Sorry, Josh Rosen.