Oddsmakers Tab Kyler Murray as Favorite for Top Pick in NFL Draft

Posted on: March 8, 2019, 01:00h. 

Last updated on: March 8, 2019, 01:02h.

Steve Bittenbender Read More
Expertise: Legislation, Sports Betting, Horse Racing.

After the NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up in Indianapolis earlier this week, US sportsbooks started rolling out their odds for whom would be chosen as the top pick in next month’s draft.

NFL Draft odds Kyler Murray
Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray has become the favorite to be the top pick in next month’s NFL draft. The Arizona Cardinals currently hold the number one pick, which begins on April 25 in Nashville. (Image: Sooner Sports)

Right now, those odds are looking pretty good for the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

Former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray has approached prohibitive favorite status in recent days on his name being the called first by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to kick off the three-day event in Nashville.

At FanDuel’s Sportsbook, Murray started off the week as the co-favorite with Nick Bosa at +110. By late Wednesday evening ET, Murray became the -350 favorite, meaning a bettor would have to wager $350 to win $100. On Thursday, the odds dropped to -420.

The SuperBook at the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas had Murray as the -140 favorite on Tuesday. A day later, his odds were down to -175.

About Murray’s Interviews, Height

While Murray’s odds have dropped, there’s no guarantee they will stay that low. Especially as reports have started to circulate about concerns over Murray’s height and the answers he gave in interviews with multiple teams.

Rumor and innuendo surrounding a high-profile NFL draft pick is nothing new. Between now and April 25, football writers will publish reports about several top prospects sourced by anonymous coaches, scouts, and executives. Murray certainly is no exception.

On Tuesday, the NFL Network’s Charley Casserly reported that Murray failed to impress officials with more than two teams about his knowledge of football concepts.

It was the worst report I’ve ever heard on a top-ranked quarterback from the interview part of it,” Casserly said on the network’s “Up to the Minute.” “One thing that stuck out to me: this guy was never trained for the interview.”

Reports also began to circulate whether Murray’s height really was measured at 5-10-1/8. While that is still several inches below the average NFL quarterback’s height, it seemed to appease some critics who wondered if Murray was too small to play the position.

Ian Rapoport, another NFL Network insider, tweeted Thursday that Murray will have his measurements retaken during Oklahoma’s Pro Day next Wednesday. He’ll also run a 40-yard dash and throw to receivers, two things he did not do in Indianapolis.

Should his measurements be confirmed, and he performs as expected in the dash and passing drill, it should cement his status as the likely top pick.

Cardinals First Up

The Arizona Cardinals currently hold the top pick in the draft, and while they drafted a quarterback in the first round of last year’s draft, reports indicate that signal caller may be on the move.

ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter reveals that “multiple teams” asked Cardinals officials about Josh Rosen during the combine. Rosen, selected with the 10th pick last year, started 13 games for the Cardinals and threw for 2,278 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Despite Rosen, Fan Duel has Arizona as the favorites for taking Murray. The Cardinals odds are -400 as of Thursday evening ET.

Murray is an appealing pick because he threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns in 14 games last season with the Sooners, and his athletic style appears to mesh more with new Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury’s up-tempo offensive schemes.

Fan Duel’s odds for other teams drafting Murray include both the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders at +600 each and the New York Giants at +850.