Dane Brugler’s Top-50 Draft Board: Where does Kyler Murray fit in this year’s class?

Dane Brugler’s Top-50 Draft Board: Where does Kyler Murray fit in this year’s class?
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The 2019 NFL Draft is less than 100 days away and teams will be working overtime the next few months to stack their draft boards.

With the underclassman deadline come and gone, this year’s crop of prospects is finalized – almost. The only question mark is Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray. The Heisman Trophy winner officially declared but hasn’t announced if he will forfeit his baseball career. If he does commit to football, where does he rank among the other prospects in this year’s class?

This top-50 draft board is based on my own evaluations as well as input from NFL scouts.

1. Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State (6-4, 265, 4.67)

Despite missing most of his junior season due to injury, Bosa remains at the top spot due to his ability to consistently create pressure off the edge. If the medicals come back clean at the scouting combine, Bosa is the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in April.

2. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama (6-4, 296, 5.02)

After he flashed as a backup last season, Williams became a starter in 2018 and emerged as the most dominant defensive lineman in college football. His combination of quickness, power, instincts and technique make him equally disruptive vs. the pass and the run.

3. Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky (6-4, 262, 4.68)

From potential top-100 pick to probable top-10 pick, Allen was the most improved player in college football this season. He developed his play strength and expanded his pass rush repertoire, earning him the highest grade of any senior on this draft board.

4. Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan (6-5, 285, 4.68)

Opinions on Gary’s NFL future are widespread in scouting circles. He didn’t match the hype at Michigan, but he is supremely gifted with a rare combination of length, athleticism and power in his 285-pound body. If teams are comfortable with his medicals and maturity, Gary will be drafted high.

5. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU (6-1, 189, 4.47)

Although he lacks ideal bulk and play strength, Williams has twitchy athleticism and the length to blanket receivers up and down the field. Williams isn’t on the level of Denzel Ward in last year’s class, but his play personality and cover skills project well to the NFL.

6. Byron Murphy, CB, Washington (5-10, 185, 4.48)

Murphy won’t wow with his size, strength or speed, but playing cornerback comes very natural to him with his balanced transition and terrific instincts. He is also much tougher than he looks and will actively get involved defending the run.

7. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama (6-5, 303, 5.18)

Although he lacks physically imposing features, Williams is a high IQ, technically sound blocker with flexible hips and a nasty mean streak. Talking to NFL scouts around the league, some teams consider him a tackle, while others are scouting him as a guard or center.

8. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston (6-3, 276, 4.86)

Due to his undersized frame, Oliver won’t be a natural fit for every NFL scheme, but he is an ideal one-gap penetrator with the athleticism, instincts and relentless nature to be disruptive. While he isn’t Aaron Donald, Oliver has monster potential.

9. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State (6-3, 311, 5.08)

With his thick, muscular build, Simmons passes the eye test and plays even stronger. He is still discovering his pass rush potential, but has the lateral quicks and ease of movement to loop around blockers. Simmons’ off-field baggage will be weighed differently by each NFL team.

10. Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson (6-4, 263, 4.78)

Although he might not be elite in any one category, Ferrell’s mix of edge speed, power and active hands make him tough to block. His play violence and attention to detail are what separates him from Shaq Lawson or Kevin Dodd when they left Clemson.

11. Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma (6-4, 335, 5.36)

If a grizzly bear wore pads and played football, it would look something like Ford’s tape. A wide-bodied blocker with a huge wingspan, he moves surprisingly well for his size to cut off edge speed and protect against inside moves. Ford offers immediate tackle-guard versatility.

12. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss (6-6, 328, 5.12)

A prospect who reminds me of Ronnie Stanley when he came out of Notre Dame, Little is an athletic big man with the frame, length and body control to carve out a long NFL career at left tackle. He would be higher on this list if he had more of a killer instinct.

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13. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson (6-3, 312, 4.98)

Moving differently than most 300-plus pounders, Wilkins uses his body flexibility and ball awareness to squeeze gaps and play on the other side of the line of scrimmage. He can be bullied at times, but his pass rush potential and intangibles are above average.

14. Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida (6-2, 242, 4.63)

Aside from quarterback, a pass rusher who can affect the quarterback is the most important position on the roster. And Polite consistently disrupted the backfield action with his instant speed and closing burst. His struggles vs. the run are a concern, but pass rush is king.

15. Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State (6-4, 238, 4.69)

A lean-framed pass rusher, Burns needs to continue getting strong and sharpen his tool set, but his first step explosion, athletic flexibility and baseline understanding of how to use his length/hands are a recipe for an impact NFL pass rusher.

16. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State (6-3, 228, 4.83)

The favorite to be the first quarterback drafted, Haskins emerged as one of college football’s top passers this season with 50 touchdowns through the air. His messy lower body mechanics and relative inexperience (14 career starts) are concerns, but his arm talent is special.

17. Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State (6-5, 246, 4.74)

A long and lean edge rusher, Sweat eats up grass quickly to threaten the edge with the core flexibility and hand tactics to keep blockers guessing. Although he doesn’t play with bully tendencies, he can tap into his power supply and shut down the run.

18. Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia (5-11, 186, 4.53)

The Jim Thorpe Award winner, Baker won’t be highly rated by every team due to his average size and speed measurables. However, he shows the innate ability to diagnose routes and put himself in position to make plays, projecting best in a Cover-2 scheme.

19. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa (6-4, 249, 4.72)

The best all-around tight end prospect in this class, Hockenson has the athleticism to release, get proper depth in his routes and create after the catch. As a blocker, he latches, drives his feet and moves his target off the screen, finishing through the echo of the whistle.

20. Devin White, LB, LSU (6-1, 243, 4.72)

A violent tackler starving for contact, White competes with the pursuit speed and play personality that will endear him to coaches. His instincts aren’t on the same level as Roquan Smith and he needs to develop his take-on skills, but White loves to hunt the football.

21. Nasir Adderley, FS, Delaware (5-11, 201, 4.49)

The top “small school” prospect in this year’s draft class, Adderley has cornerback feet and hips with the ball-hawking instincts of a free safety. With Hall of Fame bloodlines (Herb Adderley), loose athleticism and terrific tape, Adderley is a stud safety prospect.

22. Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State (6-2, 288, 4.99)

Although he can be moved from his gap in the run game, Jones has near-elite lateral quickness and burst to infiltrate gaps and affect the backfield action. He is always in motion with active hands, making him a slippery lineman to contain.

23. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss (6-4, 230, 4.47)

A freakish wide receiver prospect, Metcalf has struggled to stay healthy in college, but as long as the medical reports are favorable, he is the favorite to be the first receiver drafted. He is raw and needs to play up to his size, but the speed, length and upside are scary.

24. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa (6-5, 243, 4.64)

A potential mismatch weapon due to his athleticism, Fant separates from coverage in his routes and stretches out the defense vertically. He is still developing as a blocker, but plays with power and causes problems for defenders.

25. Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State (6-3, 217, 4.51)

Looking for the next Michael Thomas? Harmon is the closest thing to the New Orleans Saints’ Pro Bowl wideout in this draft class. While not a burner, he is physical at the catch point with above average focus, body control and play strength.

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26. Devin Bush, LB, Michigan (5-11, 226, 4.65)

Want to know how to play the linebacker position? Watch Bush’s tape. His diagnose skills, reaction quickness and closing speed are special, but his lack of size will be exposed at times. He would be a top-10 pick if he were two inches taller/longer.

27. Irv Smith, TE, Alabama (6-4, 249, 4.75)

A versatile chess piece who can play across the formation, Smith has strong hands and the athleticism to make plays after the catch. He needs to add more nuance to his routes and consistency as a blocker, but his talent will make him an NFL starter sooner rather than later.

28. Daniel Jones, QB, Duke (6-4, 222, 4.70)

Although his game lacks a “wow” factor, Jones has the skill set to help win in the NFL. He is a good-sized athlete with the accuracy, vision and cerebral approach that will push him up draft boards. The David Cutcliffe connection won’t hurt either.

29. Deionte Thompson, FS, Alabama (6-2, 199, 4.56)

A talented but frustrating prospect to study, Thompson can do everything you want from a centerfield safety. He has excellent range and physicality vs. both the pass and the run, but his inconsistent eye discipline leads to false steps and chunk plays for the offense.

30. Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama (5-9, 213, 4.49)

Despite being listed as a backup on the Tide depth chart, Jacobs is the top running back on this draft board. He shows sharp footwork as a ball carrier with the body strength and balance to run through contact. Jacobs is just scratching the surface of his ability as a runner and receiver.

31. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma (5-10, 190, 4.45)

The wild card of the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray will be a hotly debated prospect over the next few months with plenty of reasons to be both optimistic and concerned about his pro potential. There are multiple layers to his evaluation, starting with which sport does he love more, football or baseball?

32. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri (6-3, 225, 4.73)

A Derek Carr clone, Lock has a golden arm with the size and athleticism that NFL teams covet. He made strides over his career with his deep ball accuracy and intermediate touch, but his consistency with his mechanics and ball placement will be the key to his NFL future.

33. Taylor Rapp, FS, Washington (6-0, 215, 4.57)

A physical, well-rounded safety, Rapp is considered one of the most intelligent players on the team, which is evident on tape with his heady, controlled play. Although he won’t wow with his size or speed, his toughness and football IQ will earn him an NFL starting job.

34. Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama (6-1, 238, 4.78)

I gave Wilson a higher grade entering the season, but the mistakes piled up on tape and he didn’t take the next step in his development. Nonetheless, he is an impressive athlete with the versatile traits to grow into a true three-down player.

35. Zach Allen, EDGE, Boston College (6-5, 283, 4.82)

There isn’t much about Allen’s tape that screams “difference maker,” but he is an excellent run defender who can occasionally provide a pass rush. His ball instincts and intense motor are why he should be a rock-solid starter in the NFL.

36. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida (6-5, 335, 5.38)

An athletic mover with natural knee bend and lower body agility, Taylor handles space well in his pass sets, staying balanced at contact. He needs to get stronger and introduce more technique to his game, but he has the skill set to be a human shield.

37. Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State (6-5, 290, 5.23)

A better pass protector than run blocker on tape, Dillard rarely gets beat around the edge due to his light feet and core power. His lack of elite length is why some NFL teams are hoping to see him take reps at guard or center during Senior Bowl practices.

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38. Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma (5-9, 171, 4.37)

A pint-sized prospect, Brown has special speed with outstanding tracking skills, comparing favorably to DeSean Jackson. His undersized build leads to durability and fatigue questions, but his elite start/stop athleticism makes defenders look silly in space.

39. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss (6-1, 226, 4.53)

Brown feasted on shallow patterns in the Ole Miss offense and his tape feels like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle, missing a worthy sample size of downfield and outside-the-number routes. Nonetheless, his athletic profile and strong hands project well to the NFL.

40. Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame (6-6, 310, 5.21)

Talking to NFL scouts, Tillery is one of the more polarizing prospects in this draft class. He has a humongous playmaking radius with his length and athleticism, but effort can be an issue and teams must be comfortable with his character.

41. Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic (5-9, 202, 4.48)

I know this sounds like an exaggeration, but it isn’t: Singletary is one of the most elusive ball carriers I have ever scouted. He has outstanding feet and balance with a natural feel for breaking tackles, turning nothing into something.

42. N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State (6-3, 218, 4.54)

A fearless, big-bodied target, Harry lacks the route athleticism to easily uncover downfield, but he has the ball skills and physical nature to win in contested situations. There doesn’t appear to be a consensus on his “draft value” among NFL scouts.

43. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson (6-3, 346, 4.99)

Lawrence is uniquely gifted with smooth movement skills for his size and natural power to overwhelm blockers. The traits are impressive, but they don’t consistently equate to football production or impact potential, which creates wide variance in opinions regarding his draft value.

44. Michael Deiter, OG/C, Wisconsin (6-5, 329, 5.36)

With 54 straight starts in college, Deiter had double-digit starts at tackle, guard and center for the Badgers. He is a power-based blocker with the versatile skill set that will provide immediate depth at multiple positions in the NFL.

45. Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple (6-1, 190, 4.53)

One of the best names and backstories in this year’s class, Ya-Sin transferred from the FCS level prior to his senior season and quickly put himself on the NFL radar. He stays dialed in with his eyes in the right place and displays outstanding ball skills.

46. Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson (6-1, 192, 4.49)

A tall, leggy corner, Mullen’s tape shows balance and awareness issues, but he has the speed to stay in-stride with receivers downfield and the length to disrupt the catch point. He left school on a high note as the Defensive MVP of the national title game.

47. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia (6-2, 224, 4.75)

A rhythm passer, Grier has a natural feel for touch and timing, giving his receivers a chance to make plays downfield. There were too many “what was that?” decisions on his tape, but the positives outweigh the negatives with his skill set.

48. Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford (6-5, 252, 4.78)

A magnet to soft spots in coverage, Smith is strong to the ball with vice grips for hands and outstanding hand-eye coordination – even when he’s covered, he’s open. He is also one of the better blockers in this draft class at his position, projecting as a classic “Y” tight end.

49. Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt (6-2, 211, 4.55)

A prospect who certainly passes the eye test, Williams is an oversized cornerback with vines for arms. He is underdeveloped mechanically and mentally, but his loose athleticism and toughness will appeal to teams searching for a physical press-man corner.

50. Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia (6-1, 204, 4.50)

Although he isn’t as dynamic as his older brother Calvin (Atlanta Falcons), Ridley has a larger frame and shows the same attention to detail as a route-runner that translates to the pros. He will be a better NFL player than what he showed in Athens.

(Photo of Kyler Murray: Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)