CBS: Cards’ Kyler Murray among most-trusted young quarterbacks in NFL
May 16, 2020, 10:53 AM
FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) gets away from Cleveland Browns linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during the second half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz. Coach Kliff Kingsbury and the Cardinals went 5-10-1 last year, but they're a popular pick to improve sharply this year. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
It’s only been one season, but a national media member says Arizona Cardinals Offensive Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray is becoming one of the more trusted young quarterbacks in the league.
CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora put together a list ranking how much he trusts quarterbacks who were selected in the last three drafts.
The only one ahead of Murray is the reigning MVP.
Murray was ranked by La Canfora as the second-most trustworthy quarterback who has no more than two years of NFL experience.
La Canfora wrote:
Took some lumps as a rookie but also made major strides. Superb athlete and competitor with a coach who is all about the QB. He will take a leap in 2020 whether he gets a normal training camp or not.
Murray looked more comfortable with the speed of the game as the season went on and finished with 3,722 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 64.4 completion percentage.
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On the ground, Murray rushed for 544 yards and four touchdowns.
While the Cardinals finished 5-11, their offensive progress was much more evident through numbers than simply a two-win improvement from the year prior.
In 2018, the Cardinals had the fewest yards in the league by almost 800 yards. They scored the fewest points. They had the fewest first downs.
With Murray and a new coaching staff the following year, Arizona improved to a respectable No. 17 in points and No. 21 in total yards.
La Canfora thinks that progress reflects well on Murray.
Unsurprisingly, the top quarterback on his list was Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who won Offensive MVP last year.
Behind Murray at No. 3 is Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
Tua Tagovailoa, at No. 4, is the top rookie, and Joe Burrow is right behind him at No. 5.
Former Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen is at the bottom of La Canfora’s list, down at No. 17.
Rosen’s future is unclear, as the Miami Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa with plans for him to be their future.
La Canfora wrote:
Things continue to transpire against (Rosen) since being selected 10th overall just over two years ago … But he failed to show much when the Dolphins played him and the way that team took off when Fitzpatrick came back in was telling. That doesn’t inspire confidence, and, well, this is a confidence list.
That’s just another sign of progress for the Cardinals from the 2018 season.
