Kenneth Murray is a popular man. The Oklahoma linebacker told NFL.com’s James Palmer that he’s set to meet with 15 teams in the coming weeks (via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com).
Murray revealed that he’ll start his workout circuit with the Texans on March 18th before having visits “back-to-back-to-back.” The Ravens, Raiders, Cowboys and Cardinals are among the teams that the linebacker is expected to meet with.
After earning a second-team All-Big 12 nod in 2018, Murray got first-team recognition following a standout 2019 campaign. The junior finished the season with 102 tackles, four sacks, and four passes defended.
Murray is in contention to be the second linebacker off the board after Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, and he could be selected as early as midway through the first round. He didn’t participate in Oklahoma’s pro day today after having tweaked his hamstring during the 40-yard dash at the Combine. Fortunately, he told Palmer that he’s almost back to full health.
“The hamstring is doing good,” Murray told Palmer. “I’ll be fully healthy in a couple of days.”
The Cowboys aren’t drafting a LB in the first round …
Texans don’t even have a pick till the third. What’s your point?
What word don’t you understand?
I’m hesitant to think the Packers might take him in the first at #30. A LB in the first is risky enough, but a LB from a conference (Big12) that doesn’t play defense adds to the hesitation.
Murray unlikely to be available at #30. I’d love to see the Raiders trade back and pick him up in the mid-20s.
Linebackers have turned into the RB of defense. I.e. they only have four or five good seasons and then lose too many steps to be able to cover well enough to keep their starting position. Lead their club in tackles but cut at 29 or 30 with a $6 million/year contract.
Given the short shelf life of the modern linebacker (like RB, CB), it doesn’t seem make sense to spend first round picks on them. On the other hand, since everyone is a free agent in four or five years, it doesn’t really matter what position a team picks. They end up paying market value for every first round pick after those five years.