New York Giants: How Kyler Murray Could Revolutionize the Giants’ Offense

Dec 29, 2018; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) in the 2018 Orange Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

As we proceed through the NFL combine, it’s important to take note of the influential players that could be targeted for the New York Giants. Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray lands in the target category, as his immense athleticism and fundamentals offer the Giants a potential franchise signal-caller.

Ahead of the combine, analysts expected Murray to fall under 5-foot-10, but he clocked in at 5’10” 1/8 inches. He also weighed about 17 pounds heavier than his playing weight in 2018. I would anticipate that he will likely drop back down to around 195 pounds in the NFL, as his game is built around mobility.

One of the most attractive aspects of Murray is his ability to improvise. The idea of Murray featuring alongside Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr. is simply jaw-dropping — speed, power, athleticism. The trio screams playoffs, and the RPO benefits of having Kyler as the starting quarterback could be too enticing to pass up.

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Giants’ head coach Pat Shurmur stated in regard to Murray:

“Times have changed — quarterbacks come in all shapes and sizes.”Russell Wilson won a Super Bowl. You have to look at the total player, look at his productivity and look at whether he fits. They need to be productive, make good decisions, throws the ball accurately and on time, lead their team to victories. We, as coaches, have to use their skill sets to the best of their ability to try to get the most out of them.”

At the college level, Murray looked like the real deal. His ability to scan the field and make difficult throws was apparent, but often times he would leave the pocket when receivers were open. He resorts to running when he feels there’s nowhere to go with the ball, which isn’t a bad thing, but at the NFL level, he could take a beating from more physical and sizeable opponents.

The Giants’ next franchise QB needs to have all the tools:

The Giants will not only be looking for a quarterback that has the tangible attributes to succeed but also the intangible. Several weeks ago we saw an interview with Murray that was blatantly disrespectful – slouching, not answering questions, etc. What can we expect from him after a tough loss? Will he be able to handle himself professionally or will he hide from the lights?

These are all questions that the Giants and other NFL teams will be asking themselves come draft time. There’s no question that his skill-set is remarkable and offers one of the greatest returns, but can he lead a team of men and not college students? It’s certainly possible.