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2019 NFL Mock Draft: How high will Kyler Murray go in projected first round?

By John Mitchell

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

Washington is the team that makes the most sense to take a first round risk on Kyler Murray. Murray is the type of homerun shot that a team like the Redskins with limited options should take a swing at.

Last offseason, Washington invested a lot of money into Alex Smith after acquiring him in a trade with Kansas City. They find themselves unexpectedly in the market for a QB just a year later after Smith suffered a devastating leg injury against the Texans in November. Smith is facing a lengthy rehab that will almost certainly keep him out of the 2019 season; there’s no guarantee that he ever plays football again.

Regardless of what happens with his rehab, Smith will turn 35 soon, and the need for a long-term option at the position was obvious when he was injured. The ‘Skins didn’t have a viable solution behind him, particularly after Colt McCoy also suffered an injury. They brought in Mark Sanchez and Josh Johnson off the street, producing a 1-6 record down the stretch after Smith’s injury that knocked them from the top of the NFC East down to third.

Washington has a roster ready to win, but they have to find a workable solution under-center for next season. The problem is the money they have tied up in Smith will prevent them from being serious players for the available veterans this offseason. Smith would hold $42 million in dead-cap if he was released, so that’s obviously not an option. His cap hit is over $20 million regardless, and Washington is slated to only have roughly $20 million in cap space to spend this offseason.

Murray is far from the prototypical quarterback, and his selection would be risky, but he’s the home run risk that a team like the ‘Skins might be compelled to take to try to take advantage of their current window and avoid throwing away another year or two.

They could also look at Missouri’s Drew Lock or Duke’s Daniel Jones with this selection, but they both carry risks without the superstar potential of the former Heisman Trophy winner.

Jay Gruden would need to tailor his offense to fit Murray’s strengths, but the evolution of the NFL in recent years to more college-based offensive systems shows that Murray, even with his size limitations, can produce in the NFL.

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