PFF ranks Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray as top-15 player under age of 25
Jun 20, 2021, 6:47 AM
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 03: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
At only 23 years old, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is one of the top young talents in the NFL.
But like many third-year quarterbacks, Murray has room to improve.
Pro Football Focus ranks the Cardinals signal caller as the 15th best player under the age of 25.
PFF’s Sam Monson acknowledged that Murray needs to improve as a passer but was impressed with his jumps in the running game.
Instead, he became a much bigger rushing threat, scoring 11 rushing touchdowns, breaking 17 tackles and putting up almost 400 yards as both a designed rusher and on scrambles. Now he needs a jump from the 17th-ranked PFF passing grade he recorded in 2020.
In 2020, Murray finished 13th in passing yards (3,971) and 12th in touchdowns (26) but was tied for sixth in interceptions (12) with Tom Brady and Nick Mullens. As a runner, he tallied 819 rushing yards, which is the second-best among quarterbacks, trailing only Lamar Jackson (1,005).
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As one of the best dual-threats in the NFL, the next step for Murray is to become a top-10 passer.
That should be easier to do since the Cardinals upgraded their offensive line and added more weapons on the outside.
They acquired center Rodney Hudson from Las Vegas in March. Hudson, a three-time Pro Bowler, has allowed only one sack in the past three seasons.
Arizona also signed veteran wide receiver A.J. Green to a one-year, $6 million deal and drafted wide receiver Rondale Moore in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Green, a seven-time Pro Bowler, recorded 9,430 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns during his nine seasons with Cincinnati.
