ARIZONA CARDINALS

PFF gives Cardinals’ Kyler Murray 6th-best grade among 1st-rounders so far

Oct 9, 2019, 3:10 PM

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals signs an autograph for a fan after the game against the Ci...

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals signs an autograph for a fan after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 6, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Arizona defeated Cincinnati 26-23. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Time will tell who the best player from the 2019 NFL Draft will be. For now, it’s been evident why Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was the No. 1 overall pick.

According to Pro Football Focus, Murray’s Week 5 grade of 90.4 against the Bengals was an “elite” grade, the first of his career.

He also has a 70.2 grade for the season overall, which is the sixth-highest grade among players selected in this year’s draft.

Being sixth-best in the class might be underwhelming for a guy who was taken above any other draftee, but it’s worth noting that it’s an apples-to-oranges comparison; the five players graded higher than Murray through five weeks of the 2019 NFL season don’t play quarterback, a position where competence is invaluable to a franchise.

Murray’s 70.2 grade fell behind Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (85.6 grade; 24th overall pick), 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa (84.5; 2nd), Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (83.0; 17th), Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns (73.4; 16th) and Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (70.4; 25th).

PFF went further into Murray’s success in Week 5 against Cincinnati, the Cardinals’ first win of the season:

Altogether, he completed 20 of his 32 attempts [for] 253 yards, three big-time throws and didn’t have a single turnover-worthy play, while he connected on 8-of-15 attempts targeted 10 or more yards downfield and 19-of-28 passes from a clean pocket. As good as he was through the air, though, it was Murray’s work as a rusher that eventually led the Cardinals to their first win of the Kingsbury era. The first overall pick totaled 93 total rushing yards from 10 rushing attempts on the day — and 49 yards from designed runs — picking up three first downs, one touchdown and four runs of 10 or more yards in a game that truly displayed his skillset.

This season, Murray has passed for 1,324 yards on a 62.7% completion rate with four touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has rushed for 206 yards with two touchdowns and 11 first downs.

Array
Presented By
Western Governors University

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray throws a pass...

Tyler Drake

Kyler Murray focused on breaking old habits as he works to perfect Cardinals offense

Three weeks down, five to go in QB Kyler Murray's eight-game audition for the Arizona Cardinals' new regime.

11 hours ago

Marquise Brown...

Arizona Sports

Cardinals-Steelers injury report: Arizona down top 3 receivers on Wednesday

The Arizona Cardinals' top three receivers -- Hollywood Brown, Trey McBride and Michael Wilson -- were out on Wednesday.

12 hours ago

Aaron Rodgers...

Associated Press

Aaron Rodgers’ practice window opens in attempted return to Jets after torn Achilles

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers' potential return from a torn Achilles tendon has taken the next step.

14 hours ago

Elijah Wilkinson looks on...

Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals designating OL Elijah Wilkinson to return from IR

The Arizona Cardinals are designating guard Elijah Wilkinson to return from injured reserve, head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday.

16 hours ago

Keaontay Ingram #30 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball during the fourth quarter of the game...

Kellan Olson

Arizona Cardinals release RB Keaontay Ingram, DL Ben Stille

The Arizona Cardinals released running back Keaontay Ingram and defensive lineman Ben Stille on Tuesday.

2 days ago

C.J. Stroud escapes the Cardinals' pass rush...

Tyler Drake

Texans heat index: Tracking Cardinals’ 2nd 1st-round pick in 2024 NFL Draft

To help keep track of the Cardinals' extra first-round pick in the 2024 draft, a closer look at where the Texans stand on the draft board.

2 days ago

PFF gives Cardinals’ Kyler Murray 6th-best grade among 1st-rounders so far