3 best bets for Kyler Murray's NFL landing spot
Oklahoma quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray declared for the 2019 NFL Draft on Monday despite having been selected in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics. If you're unfamiliar with Murray's situation, you can check out everything you need to know about it here.
As Murray throws his hat into the NFL draft ring, we offer our three best bets for which team will scoop up the dual-threat quarterback, with odds from BetOnline.
Favorite - New York Giants (+400)The New York Giants have a ton of work to do with just two selections in the first 100 picks. The organization still needs to decide how committed it is to veteran quarterback Eli Manning, though early indications are "not very." Picking sixth overall, the Giants won't want to reach for a quarterback who doesn't fit the system in what appears to be a thin class. Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins is arguably QB1, but the Giants would be better served by plucking a franchise quarterback who can push the ball vertically. In 2018, nobody did that better than Murray, who paced the nation with 11.6 yards per attempt and 13.0 adjusted yards per attempt. Combining Murray's style of play with Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Saquon Barkley would give New York an absolutely loaded offense, and there's one bet here that's a lock: Murray's arrival will put fans in the seats.
Underdog - Denver Broncos (+800)OK, Murray isn't exactly what John Elway and Co. are looking for. The Denver Broncos love statues under center, as evidenced by the carousel of Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch and, to a lesser extent, Trevor Siemian and Case Keenum. But Denver is also in the market for a quarterback and could make the biggest home-run pick (no pun intended) of the draft. In an AFC West that includes Patrick Mahomes and all the offensive skill in Los Angeles, the Broncos need to turn the tide and land a dynamic player under center. Elway and the Broncos' brass don't seem to mind cycling through quarterbacks, and Murray isn't the obvious fit, but he is the most electric.
Long shot - Cincinnati Bengals (+900)The Cincinnati Bengals have been linked to Haskins, who played in Ohio for the Buckeyes, with their first pick at No. 11. That seems like a lazy narrative, though - and Haskins' draft stock has skyrocketed since those early connections. Looking for a long-shot wager, we need to rule out the other candidates first. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1200) are Jameis Winston's team, says new head coach Bruce Arians. The Pittsburgh Steelers (+1400) are too far behind the pack at No. 20 overall, Ben Roethlisberger appears to have security, and the franchise selected Mason Rudolph in the third round of last year's draft. Cincinnati, on the other hand, is a huge wild card, and the organization's undergoing major changes. Would it be all that surprising for the franchise to take a gamble? Andy Dalton will turn 32 midway through the 2019 season, and the rumored hire of quarterback-minded Zac Taylor could spur the front office to grab his future franchise QB.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.
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