While the Cardinals were emphatic last month that Josh Rosen will be their quarterback of the future, plenty of smoke has emerged during Combine week of a Kyler Murray-Arizona fit.
That would make Rosen an attractive commodity, and one team is considering making a run at the 2018 first-round pick. The Redskins, per DraftAnalyst.com’s Tony Pauline (Twitter link) “have spoken openly” in Indianapolis about making a run at Rosen — if the Cardinals make him available.
Washington’s quarterback situation profiles as one of the most unique in years, with Alex Smith still on the team’s payroll (at a $20MM-plus 2019 cap figure) but possibly having thrown his last NFL pass. He is out for the 2019 season. The Redskins are open to the idea of Colt McCoy being their stopgap this season, and the idea of them spending big to bring in a veteran doesn’t appear likely.
They hold the No. 15 overall pick, and player personnel VP Doug Williams said if the organization likes a quarterback who is on the board at that point, that would be the way they would likely go about addressing this unusual situation.
“I think where we are at this point, and like I said earlier, if there’s a quarterback there that we like at 15, 9 out of 10 we’ll go that route,” Williams said, via NBC Sports Washington. “If it’s not somebody we like, we’ll go with Colt and if we got to go out and get a veteran to work with him until that time comes, that’s probably what we’ll do.”
Williams, though, did not sound like a trade-up scenario was in the cards. The Cardinals landed Rosen via trade-up, and considering the circumstances, did not have to part with much draft capital to make that move to No. 10 last year. Rosen struggled as a rookie but was not dealt a great hand, with the Cardinals’ offensive line in shambles and OC Mike McCoy fired midway through the season.
Rosen would also help solve the franchise’s financial concerns. The Cards paid their current starter a $10.88MM signing bonus, which would leave another team on the hook for less than $7MM through 2021.
The 22-year-old signal-caller was the fourth quarterback taken last year. However, ex-Redskins GM Scot McCloughan does not rate any of this year’s quarterback prospects higher than him, via Robert Klemko of SI.com. McCloughan and NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah place Rosen above both Murray and Dwayne Haskins, and the Redskins are unlikely to be in position to land either of those prospects at 15.
Kliff Kingsbury has been connected to Murray for years, having attempted to recruit him at Texas Tech and saying in advance of last year’s Texas Tech-Oklahoma game he would draft him No. 1 overall if he had the chance. And it appears the Combine has not done anything to cool off this connection.
better to stick with McCoy lol. Rosen cant read pro defenses
Reading pro defenses quickly comes with time and experience. Rosen scored a 29 on the Wonderlic test so his intelligence is adequate to learn to read defenses. The salary cap issues due to Alex Smith eating up $25 million of cap while not playing don’t leave Washington many good options, in a quarterback weak draft year.
Rosen is a good choice for Washington. The problem is that Washington will want to spend a second round pick (Rosen did not shine in 2018 to say the least) while Arizona will want at least that first found #15 spot.
Washington should probably take their lumps in 2019 on 4-12 season and collect a quarterback in next year’s draft. If McCoy or Fitzmagic suddenly do the job for them and they make the playoffs, so be it.
Just more mediocrity from the redskins. Even if they get AB. They will just be messing up their future by trading picks and prospects away.
The Redskins were actually good when they had a competent QB. With AB they are easily a playoff contender
“easily” nice joke bud
Most 6-3 teams make the playoffs
This makes sense for both sides. Kingsbury will be able to run his system with Murray, and Rosen would be a good fit for Grudens more traditional pro/west coast style offense.
2018: “I’m the best QB in the draft” -Josh Rosen
2019: Seriously could be traded because of his talent level alone.
What do you want a QB to say? “I’m, you know, just glad to be here. Not sure why people think I’m as good as these guys.”
Cards or anyone is crazy to take Murray this high. I think if anyone can over come the height it’s Murray but 5’10 is not a good thing.
It’s the coaches preference. Rosen is a fine prospect, but would rather have Murray. And the coach is in position to get the guy he wants.
Rosen was very arrogant coming into last years draft. Would love to see him humbled. Rich kid
Baker Mayfield says hi.
Weird comment. There was nothing wrong with Rosen’s process.
I believe a lot of the Cardinals ‘leaking’ that they are going to take Murray is a ploy to get some team desperate to draft Murray to give a huge haul for the #1 pick.
The Cards have a lot of holes, need to find an heir apparent for Fitzgerald, and could trade that pick for a couple of 1st rounders and probably an additional 2nd.
Don’t be surprised to see a team like Raiders make a big offer (they have 3 1st round pics this year).
Just think, which trade will yield a better haul? Rosen for a possible 3rd rounder (teams will low ball them especially if the trade comes after they draft Murray), or the 1st overall pick in the draft?
Or they could sign Murray and trade for AB. Add in David Johnson and all of a sudden that would be a threatening offense. Not sure what the O-line situation is for Arizona though.
Wow Colt must be filled with confidence after player personal VP said if they cannot find anyone we’ll go with Colt