Arizona Cardinals: NFL Network crazy to rank Murray number one

The NFL Network released its top fifteen players from the 2019 NFL Draft. Who was number one? The Arizona Cardinals own Kyler Murray. 

Somehow, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray achieved the top ranking for the NFL Network’s Top 15 Players From the 2019 NFL Draft list.

While Murray is undoubtedly no bust and arguably in the group, to rank him as the top player from the 2019 NFL Draft after three seasons is just reckless and irresponsible.

NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks ranked Murray ahead of 2021 First Team All-Pro Deebo Samuel, Second Team All-Pros Jeffery Simmons, and Maxx Crosby.

The latter of whom is arguably the steal of the 2019 NFL Draft, having been selected in the fourth round out of Eastern Michigan.

Why did the NFL Network rank Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray as the top player from the 2019 NFL Draft?

The NFL Network claimed Murray was supposedly “better than advertised.” Murray’s never thrown over 26 passes per season. Meanwhile, in Buffalo, the 2018 boom or bust pick Josh Allen has thrown 73 touchdown passes over the past two seasons. And that’s just one name.

Joe Burrow, the top pick in 2020, came within three points and a bad call from winning the Cincinnati Bengals their first Super Bowl.

However, Allen and Burrow are better than advertised. They’ve both won playoff games, which Murray has yet to show up for unless you count his hapless performance in January against the Los Angeles Rams.

While it’s true he has improved in areas like completion percentage, touchdown, and interception percentage, Murray has been an integral part of back-to-back historic second-half collapses.

You will never see quarterbacks like Allen, Burrow, or Patrick Mahomes letting that happen – unless he’s facing Burrow.

And yes, Murray is indeed outstanding in making plays with his legs. But it’s also one reason he spent time on the sideline with an ankle injury last season while he played through injuries in 2020. Translation: Murray must cut it out trying to extend plays with his legs so often. 

Overall, there are at least five players who should rank ahead of Murray on this list. Those mentioned above, such as Crosby, Simmons, and Samuel.

Even guys like D.K. Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, and Devin White are also arguably as good, if not better, than what Murray has brought.

(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)