Cardinals reportedly re-assuring Josh Rosen as Kyler Murray No. 1 pick odds improve

This could go so many different directions.

The Arizona Cardinals have a decision to make with the No. 1 overall pick, and it’s not at all clear what they plan on doing. A year after trading up five spots in the first round to draft quarterback Josh Rosen, the Cardinals could be looking to spend the top pick on Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray — or maybe it’s all one big smokescreen.

Cardinals GM Steve Keim offered a somewhat lukewarm endorsement for Rosen last week during his Combine press conference. That was followed by reports head coach Kliff Kingsbury was telling people it was a “done deal” that the Cardinals would draft Murray with the No. 1 overall pick.

On Tuesday, NFL Network personality Rich Eisen jumped into the mix. A source told him that the Cardinals reassured Rosen that he’s their guy moving forward. No word on if it was a pinky swear.

I can safely say I have no idea which direction the Cardinals will go when they are on the clock on April 25th. Oddsmakers think it could be a toss-up. On Monday, FanDuel Sportsbook installed Ohio State edge rusher Nick Bosa as a +110 favorite, followed by Murray at +160, and then Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at +450. By the end of Monday, Murray had his odds moved to co-favorite at +110.

This is less a prediction by oddsmakers and more a way to offset liability as people jump on Murray as the potential No. 1 pick. They hear the chatter, and much of the media is suggesting it’s a fait accompli that Murray is headed to Arizona.

I have no idea what to make of it. They could pick any of those three players, and I don’t think I would be all that shocked. If they decide Murray is the answer, I would think we’d start to hear Josh Rosen trade rumors percolate. They could decide to draft Murray and deal with trading Rosen later, but either way, if they decide to trade Rosen, they’ll have limited leverage.

For now, we just have to wait and see how this all percolates. I’m not getting my hopes too far up that Murray ends up in Arizona.