Raiders Favored to Select Kyler Murray in 2019 NFL Draft

• On Monday, Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray declared for the NFL Draft
• The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner already signed an MLB contract with the Oakland Athletics
• The Oakland Raiders are favored to select Murray in the 2019 NFL Draft

The Oakland Raiders and Kyler Murray. It makes perfect sense. It makes logical sense. It makes historic sense. But does it make common sense?

I have declared for the NFL Draft.

— Kyler Murray (@K1) January 14, 2019

When Oklahoma Sooners quarterback and 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray declared Monday for the NFL Draft, a quick prop bet emerged on which NFL team would opt to draft Murray, and the Raiders were the favorite to do so.

Kyler Murray NFL Draft Odds

Murray, a 2018 first-round selection in the MLB Draft, already has a signed contract with the Oakland Athletics. The Raiders employed running back Bo Jackson, the 1985 Heisman Trophy winner and an outfielder with the Kansas City Royals, from 1987-90.

History on Raiders’ Side

With that legacy, it’s understandable to see the Raiders as most likely to jump on Murray. It also would offer him the added bonus if he chose so to be able to play for the Raiders during football season and the A’s during baseball season, were both teams compatible with that idea.

Kyler Murray wants a $15M contract from A’s to stick with baseball, otherwise he’ll enter NFL Draft tomorrow, per @MikeLeslieWFAA pic.twitter.com/0jSs27tRxA

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 13, 2019

But based on published reports, it appears Murray is prepared to turn his back on the diamond in pursuit of NFL gold.

Why it Won’t Be the Raiders

As much as it would make a great story, the Raiders already have themselves a QB who has been an All-Pro and who is entering the third year of a five-year, $125-million contract in Derek Carr, and Raiders coach Jon Gruden has previously endorsed Carr as his QB of the future.

Kyler Murray has a chance to be the first athlete ever picked in Round 1 of the MLB and NFL drafts

(via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/7nv3qruNeK

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 14, 2019

After a 4-12 season, their second successive double-digit loss campaign, the last thing the Raiders can afford to do is spend a first-round pick on someone who will sit on the bench. They need help in too many other areas to make Murray their priority.

Which Team Will Pick Murray?

Murray’s declaration and his apparent decision to turn his back on baseball shook the foundations of football and made a mockery of all the NFL mock drafts in play.

If the Raiders are out, who is likely to opt in? Two teams fit the mold.

The top four clubs in the draft order – the Cardinals, 49ers, Jets and Raiders – all need defensive line help. The Buccaneers, who pick fifth, selected Bo Jackson first overall in 1986 only to see him not report, and are likely to be once bitten, twice shy.

Can the Giants, who pick sixth, pass up Murray after taking RB Saquon Barkley ahead of such QBs as Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen a year ago? We don’t think so.

If they do, expect the Jaguars to move on Murray at No. 7.