Murray or Kaepernick?
Yesterday February 11th, Kyler Murray decided that he will be focusing on his future in Pro Football rather than Pro Baseball. This is coming right before the Oakland Athletics start Spring Training in the upcoming weeks.
As well, yesterday Kareem Hunt signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns after being released by the Chiefs due to the videos released of him assaulting a woman. Now, why does that connect to Colin Kaepernick? Well, he has yet to be signed or talked to by any team and what has he done wrong? Nothing, he used his platform to protest with hopes to make a change. It is disgusting that he has no place in the NFL but someone who has done things like Kareem Hunt gets a second chance before he does. (Not saying Hunt does not deserve a second chance but Kaepernick does more than anyone else.)
For the teams out there who are looking for a new quarterback they should consider signing Kaepernick rather than Heisman winner Kyler Murray and here's why:
The first thing that scouts look at in the NFL is height and weight. Kaepernick stands 6'4 weighing 225 pounds while Murray stands 5'10 and weighs 195. Kaepernick is the ideal height and weight for a versatile quarterback like both of these athletes are.
Moving into the football aspect of it Murray has only had one year of starting experience at Oklahoma. Compared to Kaepernick who has five years starting experience in the NFL. Given, Kaepernick has not played in 2 years because of the "controversy" he is surrounded in.
If you're looking for upside then you'll take Kyler Murray and if you're looking for proven talent you'll take Kaepernick. Murray has the potential to be just like Russell Wilson and he can make an impact on whatever team he goes to no matter how "small" he is. But, Kaepernick has led a team to a Super Bowl and he has dominated NFL defenses before.
All year in the Big 12 Murray faced mediocre defenses that had no answer for his arm or his feet. But when Murray faced the Alabama Crimson Tide and their prototype NFL defense he was not the same Quarterback. He was awful in the first half but in the second half he came into his own and still threw for 308 yards and rushed for 109 yards too.
But if you do not want to take any risks your guy is Colin Kaepernick. He may be a little more expensive than Murray but you will not have to risk picking him in the draft and not having him pan out. You can get whoever you want in the draft that is not a Quarterback and then have Kaepernick at the helm and if he doesn't do well you can draft Tua Tagovailoa next year. The thing with Murray is if he does not do well he has a backup plan but for a guy like Kaepernick if he does not perform then he won't get a job again.
The teams who are expected to be looking for a quarterback this year are the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots. As well, the Redskins and Panthers will be looking for one-year rentals at the Quarterback position. May I even add in the Baltimore Ravens might be looking for someone to add and have behind Lamar Jackson.
In my mind, good spots for Kyler Murray would be the Jaguars, Dolphins or the Patriots. For Kaepernick, I could see him fitting in on the Jaguars or Dolphins or even be a one year rental for the Panthers or Redskins before Cam Newton and Alex Smith return from injury.
Kyler Murray is a dynamic athlete who could easily have a spot in the NFL but Colin Kaepernick is proven and still has a place to dominate in the League. The NFL is now a league run by the offense and both guys could easily bring a team to the top with their versatility.
I'm excited to see where Murray lands this April in the Draft but as well I hope to finally see Colin Kaepernick get a chance to terrorize NFL defenses again.
My Predictions:
Kyler Murray is Drafted by the Jaguars with the 7th pick in the Draft.
Colin Kaepernick is signed by the Panthers on a one year deal.
