The San Francisco 49ers don't need a quarterback. So why is Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft somewhat big news for the Santa-Clara-based team? Because it could shake up the top of the draft.
Murray was the No. 9 overall draft pick by the Oakland Athletics and was scheduled to report to spring training next month. Oakland was trying to convince him to stick with baseball amid rumors that he was still considering entering the draft, which he officially announced on Monday would be the case.
I have declared for the NFL Draft.
— Kyler Murray (@TheKylerMurray) January 14, 2019
Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray has submitted the paperwork to turn pro and plans to enter the NFL draft. Murray has informed the Oakland A's of his intention to follow his heart to the NFL, where many project him to be a first-round pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2019
Murray has not stated that he is giving up baseball. The Athletics have asked him to report to Mesa, Arizona on February 15.
"Top A's executives, a marketing executive from MLB and others met Sunday afternoon with Murray in Dallas, sources told ESPN, to better understand what it would take for Murray to forgo a football career and to sell him on playing baseball full time," reports Schefter.
Again, why should the Niner Faithful care? Our own Bobby Horne believes Murray will receive a good deal of hype in the draft preparation process, is likely to score high marks at the combine in February, and could put up impressive numbers in the 40-yard dash.
The combine runs from February 26 through March 4 in Indianapolis.
As A's expected, Kyler Murray declares for NFL draft. From a baseball standpoint, this is procedural only and doesn't change anything unless he puts out a statement or announces he is choosing one sport over the other. A's/MLB issue would be if he left camp for the combine.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 14, 2019
If Murray does impress leading up to the draft, it could create trade scenarios for the 49ers. CBS Sports recently released a first-round mock that predicted Murray would declare. Ryan Wilson has the Jacksonville Jaguars trading up to the No. 2 spot to acquire a quarterback with the 49ers moving down to the No. 7 spot. It wasn't Murray who the Jaguars select in the mock, but Wilson believes the Oklahoma product entering the draft could create an early run on quarterbacks.
Murray declaring could make things interesting in April and potentially present the 49ers with more options.
The 49ers thank you!! pic.twitter.com/4xWhM7tYv8
— Brandon (@CruzTreihart) January 14, 2019