Latest mock draft suggests hot seat for Cardinals QB Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

The Arizona Cardinals currently own the No. 4 overall pick and No. 27 overall pick (via Houston Texans) in the 2024 NFL Draft.

They will have a couple of opportunities to build around QB Kyler Murray in the first round, but CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso believes Arizona could look for Murray’s replacement in his latest mock draft.

First, Trapasso has the Cardinals selecting Alabama edge-rusher Dallas Turner with pick No. 4.

“After seeing the Texans pick eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson from Alabama after trading with Arizona, the Cardinals get Anderson’s former teammate to be the No. 1 outside rusher in the desert,” Trapasso writes.

Turner could become a centerpiece on Arizona’s defense for years to come after posting 53 tackles, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2023.

However, the Cardinals’ most interesting pick comes at No. 27 as Trapasso has them landing Oregon QB Bo Nix.

“The Cardinals aren’t ready to move on from Kyler Murray, but Nix represents good value here if for nothing else beyond the fact that he’s a quarterback,” Trapasso writes.

Nix is an intriguing prospect for quarterback-needy teams after throwing for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns and just three interceptions in 2023. But unless Arizona views itself as one, it seems like a waste of a pick.

Although Murray’s 28-36-1 record as a starter is unimpressive, the Cardinals just signed the 26-year-old to a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension that runs through 2028 last offseason.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has struggled to stay healthy the past two years after tearing his ACL in 2022. But he should finally be fully healthy next season.

If Murray continues to struggle in 2024, then it may be time for Arizona to start preparing to move on from him. But drafting Nix with the pick it acquired from its first-round trade down last year doesn’t make a ton of sense.

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