2019 #1 overall pick Kyler Murray might fit well with the Vikings
· Yahoo Sports
If you were a #1 overall pick in any NFL Draft class, and you have changed teams, then your career might not be fully living up to expectations.
That's because the hype that accompanies a #1 overall pick is astronomical, and it takes an out of this world level of play to match it. And if you're performing at that level, then the NFL team that drafted you will not let you get away.
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This principle goes double for quarterbacks, because they simply do not grow on trees.
Starting with Matthew Stafford in 2009, 14 of the last 18 top overall picks have been quarterbacks. Of the last seven, Kyler Murray, selected by the Arizona Cardinals out of Oklahoma in 2019, is the only one to switch teams, doing so on March 12, when he signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
Having only played in 30 games the past three seasons, and compiling a record of 13-17 as a starter over that span, he'll earn the veteran's minimum salary on his one-year deal.
Still he's the leading contender to win the QB1 job in the land of 10,000 lakes.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell might be feeling a bit of pressure, in the Twin Cities this fall.
His overall record is very impressive, as are his two NFC North division titles in just four seasons. However, the Vikings have not been able to advance past the NFC Wild Card game during his regime, and O'Connell is banking on Murray to be the guy that takes them there.
“Kyler has always been a player," O’Connell said in an exclusive interview with R.org. "I’ve known him for a long time, and obviously having coached against him at multiple spots, and the talent you talked about bringing that different dimension."
Murray is their best bet, but the QB room also includes two other guys who haven't lived up to their draft billing. Second on the depth chart is JJ McCarthy, who Minnesota took 10th overall out of Michigan in 2024.
He hasn't been impressive, and the Murray signing itself is a signal as to how the organization feels about him right now.
It may be too early to label him a bust, but we're definitely entering the suburbs of bust city right now. The third-stringer is a Super Bowl champion, and you can never take that away from him, in Carson Wentz.
However, he was the second overall pick in 2016, and his individual numbers are good, but definitely not great. He's only made one Pro Bowl, and that was way back in 2017.
Getting back to Murray, he's a good fit for the Vikings, and the system that they run, as he's a true dual threat.
“I think what he’s really done over seven years in the NFL is really maintain that dimension," O'Connell said in the same interview.
"But also the growth, the way he sees the field, the way he can throw with anticipation, and ultimately where he’s at in his career is a unique time."
Murray left the Arizona desert ranking third in Cardinals history in passing yards (20,460) and touchdowns (121). He's also second in pass completions (1,974). And no, the Cardinals franchise history is anything but illustrious, but Murray has an impressive resume.
And while he might have peaked earlier on in his career, his best work could still be in front of him.
There are other #1 overall QBs who have not only thrived, but also reached higher levels, after switching teams. Stafford, as well as the guy who went ahead of Wentz, Jarrod Goff, found success with their first teams, but leveled up at their second clubs.
Baker Mayfield (2018 #1 overall pick) had to change teams a few times, in order to find himself, but now that he has, he's absolutely thriving in Tampa Bay.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: 2019 #1 overall pick Kyler Murray might fit well with the Vikings