Barnwell: Cardinals’ Kyler Murray 2nd in ROY race at midway point

Kyler Murray can’t do much more to impress. The Arizona Cardinals quarterback and No. 1 overall pick is doing what he can to bolster one of the better rushing offenses in the NFL, and he’s done that by playing safe, smart football.

Murray has completed 64% of his passes and thrown nine touchdowns to four interceptions.

After a Thursday loss to the San Francisco 49ers, he’s attempted 172 consecutive passes without an interception and has also not lost a fumble on any of his dropbacks or 56 rushes.

The quarterback’s season through Arizona’s 3-5-1 season is so far good enough to put him squarely in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation.

At the midway point of the season, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has Murray second in that race behind Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, the 24th overall pick who has rushed for 740 yards and 4.9 yards per carry in eight games.

Murray and the Cardinals’ rushing attack has been more effective than anybody would have expected, with Arizona ranking fourth in rush offense DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) through the first eight weeks of the season. Murray, who has 56 carries for 313 yards and two touchdowns, ranks fourth in expected points added as a runner among quarterbacks.

Strictly on pass plays, Murray ranks 17th in Total QBR at 54.7. The Cardinals aren’t asking Murray to throw downfield frequently, with the former Oklahoma star averaging just 6.7 air yards per pass attempt, which ranks 28th in the league. Some of that likely owes to a lack of confidence in Arizona’s pass protection. The Cardinals also haven’t exactly been stocked with burners at receiver, given that Christian Kirk missed three games and Andy Isabella had barely played before his long catch-and-run against the 49ers.

Barnwell adds that the next step for the Cardinals is finding a way to use the running game to set up a deep passing offense.

The Cardinals flashed that ability with an 88-yard catch-and-run from Murray to second-round pick Andy Isabella in the 28-25 loss to the 49ers in Week 9. There are challenges, however, to that becoming a more frequent tool for Murray.

His offensive line will have to improve. Against San Francisco, left guard Justin Pugh held his own after moving to right tackle due to Justin Murray’s knee injury, and backup Mason Cole filled in for Pugh at guard.

Arizona’s young receivers need to build upon a notable Week 9. KeeSean Johnson and Isabella both caught their first touchdown passes of their careers against the 49ers.

And maybe most of all, the Cardinals must get healthy at running back.

David Johnson’s ankle injury could be healed up enough for him to play Sunday at Tampa Bay. Kenyan Drake, who recorded 162 all-purpose yards Thursday, could help out with a full week and a game in Arizona’s system under his belt.

Whether those things happen or not, the key for Murray is to keep doing what he’s doing: commanding the offense and keeping the Cardinals’ turnover differential in the positives as he eyes a sixth straight game without a giveaway on Sunday.

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