Even though most believe the Arizona Cardinals will select former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, nothing is guaranteed until the pick is handed in. Everything is educated guesswork from now until then. Predictions are based on what those around the league are saying. You still have to navigate through smokescreens and potential trade options.
Draft analyst Matt Miller wrote a piece for Bleacher Report on Friday stating that several NFL insiders believe the top five selections in this month's draft are a lock. While that is unlikely due to the pure unpredictability of the draft, it does offer some intriguing insight into what each top-five team is expected to do in less than three weeks.
San Francisco 49ers fans probably aren't too interested in what's going on beyond the top two slots in the draft order (assuming the 49ers don't trade down), but the No. 1 and No. 2 spots are of great interest to the Niner Faithful.
Miller calls the Cardinals' desire to select Murray the "worst-kept secret in the NFL." The Murray-to-Arizona talk really gained steam at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
"Barring a last-minute change from team president Michael Bidwill, Murray will be the pick," writes Miller. "This is something every contact I have in the NFL agrees on."
Next up are the 49ers and one rival NFL scout with deep connections to head coach Kyle Shanahan told Miller, "Don't overthink this s--t. If (Nick) Bosa is on the board, the Niners are picking Bosa."
But the 49ers traded a second-round pick in next year's draft for pass rusher Dee Ford. Will they add another? Miller, like others, believes doing so makes a lot of sense. He notes that Ford's contract is essentially year-to-year with little impact should the 49ers decide to move on.
"If he balls out in 2019, they keep him, and he plays out his contract," writes Miller. "If he struggles like he did in 2015 and 2017, they let him walk."
Miller also notes that having two players coming off the edge fits what new defensive line coach Kris Kocurek likes to do.
"Kocurek's defense, which used Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn last year in Miami, needs two athletic players coming off the corners," writes Miller. "Bosa isn't just a value—he's a need and a fit."
The NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25 from Nashville, Tennessee.