That No. 2 pick may have gotten a helluva lot more valuable.
For the last few months, reports circulated that the San Francisco 49ers would have a draft board minus Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray. Now, it might be without someone else. CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco reports that while Murray was once the plan, the Cardinals are now going in a different direction:
“Initially, the ownership pushed for Kyler Murray, that much I know, I was told that. The reason they did is they are having a hard time selling tickets. Well, they put it out there. Arizona was lukewarm to it. So now, all of a sudden, they are pulling back and from what I’ve been told, they are going to go in a different direction. They are not going to draft Kyler Murray.”
This follows along with what Kyle wrote up Friday about how the Cardinals are unable to find a trade partner willing to give a first round pick for current quarterback Josh Rosen. The lack of a trading partner along with the reception of the pick is making this not the best choice for the future.
The consensus board was the Cardinals would take Murray followed by the 49ers taking Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa. If the Cardinals take someone else, that person could be Bosa. It also could be Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. While Bosa is considered by many the best overall player in the 2019 NFL Draft, Williams is also considered as such by others. The Cardinals also need more help on the interior than they do on the edge. Furthermore, Bosa plays in a 4-3 and would need to convert to 3-4 defensive end.
All things said, if the Cardinals pass on a quarterback, this makes an interesting scenario for the 49ers. Yes, missing out may not be ideal for Bosa fans, but it puts the 49ers as a potential trade partner for a quarterback-hungry team. The bidding war could go to the New York Jets who are one spot behind the 49ers at No. 3 and a cheaper option for some teams, but if a team wants and is absolutely guaranteed Murray, they can go to No. 2 and the 49ers can get some prime real estate.
And Williams, who is also turning heads, could be someone a team wants as well. Behind the Jets are the Oakland Raiders who have the ammo to move up two spots. If the 49ers were to identify a pass rusher beyond No. 5, that puts Mississippi State defensive end Montez Sweat into the conversation and maybe Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen. Both could be gone before the 49ers get to pick or they could be the pass rusher they are looking for.
Or maybe this is yet another smoke screen and Murray is still en route to Arizona.
Welcome to Draft Week, everyone.
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