NFL Comparison
Russell Wilson
Overview
Severely undersized, one-year starter with rare playmaking talent that could force general managers to reassess long-held notions about size and style for a franchise quarterback. Murray is like a complex burgundy with notes of Baker Mayfield, Johnny Manziel and Russell Wilson in his play, but like any quarterback, he'll need to prove he can recognize disguised coverages and work on-time from the pocket to go from flash talent to playoff winner. Teams drafting him need to have the right coordinator and must be committed to framing their offense specifically to Murray's strengths and weaknesses, which could require additional roster re-configuration. Murray is an electric talent with a live arm, good mental makeup and the skill-set to produce at a high level in the right offense.
Strengths
- Never seems to get rattled or overwhelmed
- Showed ability to elevate his play in clutch situations
- Plus runner and passer as true dual-threat quarterback
- Twitchy ball-handler for instant delivery from RPO reads
- Gets through progressions and won't fall in love with primary target
- Above-verage release quickness from pocket
- Lively arm to challenge safeties and attack tight windows
- Throws catchable ball with good touch
- Baseball outfielder with "long toss" deep-throw talent
- Quick with smooth follow-through for easy 50-yard throws in rhythm
- Effective and accurate when throwing on the move
- Puts fatigued defenses in a serious bind
- Uncommon ability to extend plays and make back-breaking throws
- Most elusive pocket target rushers will ever see
- Sacked just 18 times
- Slips tackles and outruns defenders like a running back
- Torments coordinators with zone-read runs and third-down conversions with legs
Weaknesses
- Just one season as full-time starter and leader of the team
- Requires diversity-of-game experience for NFL chess matches
- Had 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions before final season
- Short with smallish frame
- Concerns over durability due to size and playing style
- Needs to implement more open-field slides when finishing runs
- Could struggle to see and throw over defenders from the pocket
- Defaults to low arm-angle throws unnecessarily
- Will leave feet behind when scanning and throwing
- Needs better eye discipline to avoid stare-down scenarios
- Too willing to challenge into double coverage
- Mechanical inconsistencies can cause throws to sail
- Needs to prove he can throw on time to the middle of the field
Sources Tell Us
"He's a special athlete, but it takes more than that. We just don't know with him because he's had one year in the Big 12 with a great system. I like him, but I wouldn't be ready to risk my job for him yet." -- Executive with NFC team
