Kyler Murray Now the Odds-On Favorite to be Selected 1st Overall in 2019 NFL Draft

• Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray now favored to go first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft
• Murray walked away from an MLB deal with the Oakland A’s to play football
• The Arizona Cardinals hold the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft

It would appear that Kyler Murray is about to gain another trait in common with Baker Mayfield.

Both are quarterbacks. Each played NCAA football for the Oklahoma Sooners. They won the Heisman Trophy. And now, odds are favoring Murray to be the first player chosen in the 2019 NFL Draft, just as Mayfield was a year ago by the Cleveland Browns.

Kyler Murray believed 'almost universally' to be first pick https://t.co/uCj969x1Zu pic.twitter.com/nZ4GgKMKyD

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 2, 2019

The Arizona Cardinals hold the first pick in the NFL Draft.

Odds To Be 1st Pick Of 2019 NFL Draft

*Odds taken on 03/05/19

After the football world saw his official measurements at the 2019 NFL Combine, Murray’s odds to be selected first overall improved to +200. But the hype did not stop there.

If he’s the choice, Murray would be the 10th Heisman Trophy-winning QB to go first overall.

One year ago today, Baker Mayfield called his shot …

📰 » https://t.co/MiWYfv2y91 pic.twitter.com/OReVAHiZP6

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 2, 2019

He’d join Mayfield (2018), Jameis Winston (2015), Cam Newton (2011), Sam Bradford (2010), Carson Palmer (2003), Vinny Testaverde (1987), Jim Plunkett (1971), Terry Baker (1963), and Angelo Bertelli (1944).

Murray’s Stock Has Soared

Even though he didn’t compete, Murray still made an impressive showing at the NFL Combine. Doubts about his size were laid to rest when he measured up at 5-10 1/8 and 207 pounds.

Video: Gruden says he isn’t worried about Kyler Murray’s height, given the recent success of Russell Wilson, Drew Brees and Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/kekV9HqUEt

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 28, 2019

His hand size measured out to 9 4/8 inches. That’s larger than Winston, Patrick Mahomes, and Sam Darnold. And he allayed any fears that he might still have a notion about playing baseball.

Kyler Murray on Bryce Harper's $330 million contract: 'There’s quarterbacks making more per year than him' https://t.co/QLSrKPxPF2 pic.twitter.com/sdxIxMZet4

— Sporting News NFL (@sn_nfl) March 1, 2019

Murray enacted a clause that enabled him to opt out of a contract he signed with the Oakland A’s after they selected him in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Is The Bloom Off Rosen?

A year ago, the Cardinals spent the 10th overall pick of the draft on UCLA QB Josh Rosen. He threw for 11 TDs and was picked off 14 times as a rookie, and it would appear that Arizona is already moving on from him and will put the ball in Murray’s hands.

Kyler Murray will be the No. 1 overall pick and Josh Rosen will likely be traded before free agency starts. The streets is talking and Washington is the likely landing spot for Rosen.

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) March 4, 2019

Rosen has been linked to both the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings in trade speculation.

Old photos sometimes are the best photos: Josh Rosen’s Instagram post from 2015, when he and Kyler Murray competed at the @Elite11 with other QBs like Sam Darnold, Drew Lock and Jarrett Stidham. pic.twitter.com/Xzu45VXhFd

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2019

The last time the Cardinals owned the first overall pick was in 1958. They took a QB then, selecting King Hill of Rice.

Is Nick’s Time Up?

Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa was viewed as the likely first overall pick for much of the season, but that ship looks to have sailed.

He’s the second betting choice, so should you think about maybe even a small wager on him at +150? That would be wasted money.

After measuring in today at 5-10 and 207 pounds, Kyler Murray clearly in discussion of overall No. 1 pick. See you at your pro day in Norman, young man. You've done your job in Indy. 📸: Clayton Thorson #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/Ub6lgCxQ1Q

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) February 28, 2019

Murray is the man. It’s becoming clearer every day.

"Kyler Murray is the best combination of passer, runner that we've seen maybe ever in the draft. … Lamar Jackson, Michael Vick, Vince Young, RGIII, none of them sniffed over 7 yards per carry for a career. Kyler just did it." — @joelklatt pic.twitter.com/jUvcJvKaNN

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 4, 2019

Teams are lining up, salivating at the hope of getting a shot at drafting the Oklahoma QB.

Sunday Combine Notes: Kliff Kingsbury telling people it’s a “done deal” the Cardinals will select Kyler Murray with the first pick of the draft. Plenty more here -> https://t.co/Tke8GyScfm pic.twitter.com/MqVy9MpTUt

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) March 3, 2019

The NFL is trending toward mobile QBs. Murray fits that mold perhaps better than any QB out there today. His improvisational skills allow him to make something out of nothing when a play falls apart or simply isn’t there.

The Cardinals can’t afford not to take him.