The Josh Rosen era in Arizona may be over after just one season. There were reports of buzz at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Saturday that people "believe almost universally" that the Cardinals would make Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray the No. 1 overall pick in next month's draft.
Kim Jones of NFL Network reported the news on Saturday which confirmed what Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York was hearing out of Indianapolis.
If true, that would certainly benefit the San Francisco 49ers, who select at the No. 2 spot and would have their choice of pass rushers (or any other player). The 49ers are not in the market for a quarterback.
Now, it sounds like a Murray-to-Arizona scenario is a "done deal," according to a report on Sunday by Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst.
"Adding fuel to the Murray fire, Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury was telling people last night that it's a 'done deal' the Cardinals will select the Oklahoma Sooners quarterback with the first pick of the draft," writes Pauline. "Whether or not Kingsbury has the final say on the choice remains to be seen, but stay tuned."
There's always the possibility that Kingsbury is creating a smokescreen to drum up trade interest for the top pick.
Cardinals general manager Steve Keim will have a say in who is selected No. 1 overall. He was asked this week if Rosen is his quarterback.
"Yeah," Keim responded. "He is right now, for sure."
Many translated the comment to mean Rosen is the Cardinals quarterback ... for now.
RELATED NFL Scouting Combine buzz starting to point to the Cardinals selecting Kyler Murray No. 1 overall
Murray's stock rose on Thursday when he measured taller than expected. He came in at just over 5-foot-10 with a weight of 207 pounds and hands measuring 9.5 inches. With that win under his belt, Murray opted not to work out at the Combine and will instead do everything at his pro day later this month.
Murray met with the Cardinals over the weekend. 2019 will be Kingsbury's NFL head coaching debut. The two were together for one season in 2015 at Texas A&M.
"Coach Kingsbury, I know the type of offense he runs. Obviously, he recruited me out of high school. I have a great relationship with him," Murray told reporters this week. "If I were to play under him, I think it'd be a great deal, but again, like I said, I don't get to pick the players, all I can do is show up and do what I'm supposed to do, work hard and get after it."
Many initially felt pass rusher Nick Bosa would be the first player selected in the draft. Now, he may be available when the 49ers, who are looking to address the position, make their first selection. On Saturday, Bosa discussed the possibility of being drafted by the 49ers.
"I think I'd fit in very well," Bosa said via Brad Almquist of KNBR. "They got really good interior guys right now. They just need help on the edge is what they told me. I think I would be a true defensive end there, hand in the dirt. That's something I like about them, for sure."
