We're a little more than 48 hours away from the start of the 2019 NFL Draft, and it sounds like almost no one knows how things will shake out.
The Arizona Cardinals own the No. 1 overall pick, and many expect them to draft Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray to pair with new coach Kliff Kingsbury.
However, a report leaked over the weekend that the Cardinals were planning to pass on Murray, leaving many to wonder how far the Heisman Trophy winner would fall should Arizona go in a different direction.
As it turns out, Murray might not have an Aaron Rodgers-type wait in the green room if the Cardinals pass on him, as many see the Raiders as a potential suitor at No. 4 overall. Coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have publicly supported current quarterback Derek Carr, but it sounds like Gruden isn't all that high on his signal-caller. He is, however, quite high on Murray, according to ESPN's Todd McShay.
"Jon Gruden loves Kyler Murray, I'm told. And does not necessarily love Derek Carr, I'm told, which is going to be the interesting thing to see," McShay said on Monday's episode of "Get Up!," via Bleacher Report. "It may not play out in this draft, but I think at some point, it's going to come to an end between Carr and Jon Gruden, from what I hear."
Last Friday, Gruden and Mayock reportedly closed ranks, sending all of their scouts home so they could finish their draft prep surrounded only by a few trusted members of the organization.
With a number of leaks coming out over the past few weeks, it's possible the decision to close ranks came out of the Raiders' desire to try and find a way to move up and take Murray while maintaining plausible deniability should the talks fall through. Oakland has four picks in the top 35, so the Silver and Black undoubtedly have the trade ammunition needed to move up to the top spot if they so desired.
[RELATED:Why Raiders might be looking to trade up for Kyler Murray]
But the Raiders have a number of holes to address in the draft. With game-changers like Quinnen Williams possibly being available at No. 4, the Silver and Black might want to restock their defense and worry about quarterback at a later date.
But if Gruden really does "love" Murray, all bets are off.
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/raiders/report-marshawn-lynch-retires
2019-04-24 11:26:22Z
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