Mayock: Murray Probably A Third-Round Pick
May 1st, 2014
Murray potentially is a great Tampa Bay fit for multiple reasons
Chucky’s second favorite QB in the NFL Draft, Aaron Murray, is steadily moving up team draft boards and NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock said this afternoon he expects Murray to be a third-round pick next week.
Speaking on his annual pre-draft conference call, Mayock made the claim along with all kinds of heavy praise for Murray’s intelligence, experience, readiness and ability.
Mayock said Murray and Johnny Football are the only two quarterbacks in the draft that can start effectively from Day 1 of 2014 NFL season. The rest of the QB class, per Mayock, would be best off having a “redshirt” season.
The main reason Mayock thinks Murray can start immediately? Because he “understands the game so much.”
The SEC all-time leading passer, Murray is a very interesting potential fit for the Bucs because he’s unlikely to be healthy enough (recovering from ACL surgery) to play in preseason and really be ready for 2014. That could make life very easy for the Bucs, and it’s likely making Murray more of a value pick.
Murray seems like an ideal candidate to hold a clipboard and study under Jeff Tedford and Josh McCown while healing and learning the NFL game. There would be little or no potential fan pressure to play Murray until late in the 2014 season.
Of course, the only reason the Bucs would draft a quarterback is if they believe the QB can take over the starting job and lead them to the Super Bowl. The Bucs don’t need a backup. They already have a good, inexpensive one in Mike Glennon — and a truly great backup in McCown.
May 1st, 2014 at 2:33 pm
If Murray is nursing a sore knee, who will back McCown up??”??
May 1st, 2014 at 2:35 pm
You know what else the Bucs don’t need? A slightly built QB who misses more games than he plays and ends up frustrating the hell out of fans, and who at the first sign of trouble like getting a parking ticket starts posting on Twitter how he can’t wait to get the hell out of Tampa.
Just say no.
May 1st, 2014 at 2:36 pm
Joe sometimes I wonder if your drinking something stronger other than alcohol. McCown is a truely great back up? What has he done that makes him anything more than an average back up?
Nothing spiking Joe’s iced tea this afternoon. By current NFL standards (look around the league), McCown qualifies as an excellent backup QB for multiple reasons. That should be obvious. –Joe
May 1st, 2014 at 2:37 pm
But if Lovie is be believed, he wants only TWO QBs on the 53 man roster. That would preclude taking someone who couldn’t physically play should McCown get hurt. So that leaves Johnny Gazelle. But Lovie just spent a bunch of money and already named McCown as his forever starter, so maybe not John-Boy either. I’ve got a hunch that QB is not high on their list. Let’s hope that WR and O-linemen are.
May 1st, 2014 at 2:52 pm
Joe, you forgot to mention that Aaron Murray did work out during Georgia’s pro day and showed no signs of his knee holding him back at all. He also worked out for Gruden just like Johnny Boy and the others did. IMO he will be plenty healthy in August, almost a year after the injury occured.
But yes, there is no pressure for an immediate starter in Murray and he is the best low-risk, high-reward prospect in this draft. I think the Bucs 3rd rounder may be too high for him, but they could trade into the late 3rd or trade into the 4th to get him. He’s got the arm, he’s got the numbers, he’s got the college success, and the knowledge for the pros. And he will only cost a mid-round pick instead of the No. 7 overall. What’s not to love?
May 1st, 2014 at 2:53 pm
I like this pick.
1) Evans
2) Best OG available
3) QB Murray or best available
Then, make an exception and KEEP Glennon as well. Carry 3 QBs.
Why?
Because the Bucs would essentially have 2 backup QBs, at a cheap 3rd round salary for several years. It is a bargain.
That move actually screws Glennon the most, but it is better for the Bucs.
May 1st, 2014 at 2:55 pm
If we draft him and he isn’t expected to be healthy yet, we’ll have to carry 3 qbs. I know that isn’t the norm anymore but that’s how it should be imo.
May 1st, 2014 at 2:57 pm
McCown is nothing more than a stopgap until L&L find their franchise QB. A really good stopgap. Could definitely see this pick going down in the third.
May 1st, 2014 at 3:04 pm
@FLBoyInDallas…”You know what else the Bucs don’t need? A slightly built QB who misses more games than he plays”…What the hell are you talking about? Aaron Murray missed 3 games in his 4 year career at Georgia! He also finished his career with SEC career records for completions (921), passing yards (13,166), TD passes (121) and total offense (13,562), and is second in the SEC in career pass attempts (1,478) … Became the first QB in SEC history to throw for 3,000+ yards in four straight seasons.
Dude, watch some football before you make stupid statements again!
May 1st, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Do not take Evans at 7. Talk about setting your team back
May 1st, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Carrying 3 QBs wouldn’t be so bad….after all…I think at one point last year we had 4 FBs on the roster.
May 1st, 2014 at 3:10 pm
well said jeagan1999…beat me to it. A lot of ass clowns on here throwing opinions around when they have no idea what they’re talking about (yes, were looking at you FLBOYINDALLAS!
May 1st, 2014 at 3:17 pm
I like Murray to a degree but he has below average hand size, and throws some wobbly balls. He honestly seems like a slightly lesser version of Dalton to me. He’s more than likely a very safe, good backup. Which is really not what we need.
May 1st, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Wobbly throws? You must not have watched Georgia games.
May 1st, 2014 at 3:22 pm
jeagan99 and bucfanamongstthebirds,
FLboyinDallas was referring to John Manziel, not Murray.
May 1st, 2014 at 3:22 pm
@Jeagan & @bucsfanblahblah
Look who the idiots are. I was referring to Johnny Manziel with my comment, not Aaron Murray. When did Murray get a parking ticket and complain on Twitter? When has anyone referred to him as slightly built, like many people do about Manziel? Learn how to read and comprehend the English language, and use your walnut sized brains, before reprimanding your superiors you little children.
May 1st, 2014 at 3:26 pm
@Vince…”I like Murray to a degree but he has below average hand size, and throws some wobbly balls.” …your critique is fair enough (unlike FLBOYINDALLAS, who has no clue), but remember, people said the EXACT same thing about Drew Brees coming out of Purdue (“too small, weak arm, small hands, etc…). Now I am NOT suggesting that Murray is the next Drew Brees…but when you look at how similar these two QB’s are in stature, arm strength, accuracy, intelligence, etc..it’s not such a reach to say that Murray could have a very good NFL career and be a similar type QB to Brees. Based on just their college stats, Murray had the more prolific career and played against the top SEC schools year in and year out. I think whoever get Murray will be very pleasantly surprised with his skills and leadership!
May 1st, 2014 at 3:33 pm
FLBoyInDallas…Sorry if I got your comments out of context! I assumed you were speaking about Murray since that’s who the article was about. Apologies.
May 1st, 2014 at 3:48 pm
@Jeagan
If you hang around long enough you’ll see lots of people giving Joe a hard time about his man-love for Manziel even on articles that aren’t directly about him. It’s a frequent occurrence, although Joe definitely brings it on himself.
I happen to sort of like Murray. Not as much as Carr or Gilbert, but I wouldn’t complain if the Bucs drafted him.
May 1st, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Finally a solution that makes since….. I usually stay out of QB discussions but I can’t help myself. You have Mc Cowan (a two year bridge at best) starting; Murray (potentially the future) holding a clip board while maturing; Glennon (potential trade material in 2015) as back-up. Seems like this combination would be worth a 3rd round pick. Pick up a Reciever and OL in rd1 and 2 and eliminate the dog and pony show.
May 1st, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Listening to NFL radio they have been talking more about how there no QBs that should be drafted in the top 10. They only possibly will be due to team needs. I see a 2nd rd pick for QB. That is unless we do trade down and take one. Some talk about Mettzenberg (sp?) going in late 1st or early 2nd now as well.
May 1st, 2014 at 4:05 pm
@Bucsfaninchina, I would agree with that. If they get rid of Glennon they will have to draft a QB next year again to get a backup since McCown only has 2 yrs.
May 1st, 2014 at 4:05 pm
4th rounder.
May 1st, 2014 at 4:24 pm
@FLBoyInDallas…I’m also not too keen on the Bucs taking Manziel. Not that I don’t think that he CAN’T be a decent NFL QB (even though I do have doubts about his college skills transferring to the pro game), I just think that we have bigger fish to fry at WR, OG, OLB, DE, etc… There’s a lot of depth at QB this year…like Murray…and a 3rd or 4th round selection would allow us to focus on shoring up some of these other needs, while giving Glennon a chance to build on a strong rookie season. Living in north Georgia for the last 4 years, I saw a lot of Bulldogs games (even though I’m not a GA fan…Go Buckeyes!!) and I have to admit that I’m really impressed with this kid. I think he has the potential to be a good NFL starter in a few years! If we could get a decent #2 WR and shore up our O-Line a bit, I wouldn’t begrudge Coach Smith going after somebody like Murray, Garropolo, Savage, etc.. in the 3rd or 4th round!
May 1st, 2014 at 4:33 pm
1. OT Matthews or Lewan (Robinson will be gone)
2. WR (Whoever falls into Rd 2 out of Cooks, OBJ, Moncrief)
3. QB (Murray, Garraopolo)
That’s how it could play out given the talent at each position and need.
May 1st, 2014 at 5:13 pm
No doubt we’re all getting testy as draft day approaches. I would recommend a large pitcher of Mojito’s, a nice fat Ybor City cigar, and chillin’ out to some smooth tunes. Because whether it be Manziel, Bortles, Bridgewater, Garoppolo, McCarron, Murray or any of the other QBs, as long as they believe in them, so too will the majority of us.
May 1st, 2014 at 5:49 pm
@Jeagan1999 Actually Brees has freakishly large hands for his size, 10″1/4 as opposed to Murray with 9″1/4. Tom Brady, also undersized, has abnormally large hands as well. Hand size is actually a pretty big deal apparently, with the exceptions being unusually mobile QBs and Tony Romo.
May 1st, 2014 at 5:56 pm
Been saying this all along. Murray is the QB we should draft. Dirtball, Bridgewater, and Carr will be busts in the NFL. Mark me words! Yar
May 1st, 2014 at 5:57 pm
Busts in relation to them being first round picks. Dirtball and Carr might be serviceable QBs in the perfect system.
May 1st, 2014 at 5:58 pm
I think this article is a great read on murray’s potential value to the bucs. I don’t know about 3rd round , but if mayock thinks that I’m good. even though I’m a gator thru and thru I believe murray to be an ideal fit with the bucs. this thought is not new to me either , I have been telling my buddies ever since he became the starter at Georgia that I think he will be one hell of a pro. when he got hurt my thought was he would fall in the draft and could be a potential steal for some team. I hope we draft him .
May 1st, 2014 at 6:17 pm
I’d take Murray in 3, easy. It depends how the QB-needy teams draft.
You figure the needy teams take theirs in rounds 1-2. How many are there, 6-9, including the Bucs?
Texans, Rams (Yes, Rams. Bradford’s been hurt so much he won’t make it to year 5.), Browns, Jags, Raiders, Vikings, Titans, Cardinals and maybe the Cowboys.
You figure the Cowboys would only want Manziel. No Manziel and they’re out.
May 1st, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Cant believe 30 comments in, Im the only one thinking this. Isnt Murray a local boy too. Dont live in FL, but, pretty sure hes from Tampa and is all that and a bag of chips. Cant see why he wouldnt be looked at as a hell of a QB for every reason mentioned and then some.
May 1st, 2014 at 8:18 pm
He’s got a hot girlfriend.
May 1st, 2014 at 8:33 pm
Brett Smith is being seriously overlooked.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:05 pm
It would be great if they could grab him in the third round unless they plan on keeping Glennon. I’d personally like to see Glennon in training camp and pre season to see what has changed. No point in drafting a QB unless Glennon is traded. If he improves on his mobility I thought he did a great job with the situation he found himself in.
May 1st, 2014 at 10:35 pm
If there is no hope for Glennon then the Bucs should grab Murray in the second round. He won’t make it to the third even with the bum knee.
May 2nd, 2014 at 2:18 am
Joe, Murray is my favorite QB in this draft class. He reminds me so much of a young Drew Bree’s. It would be an injustice to let this kid from Plant end up any where else.
May 2nd, 2014 at 6:43 pm
My feeling is that Murray will have the longest and best NFL career out of this class.