Height matters in professional football, especially at quarterback, where the old scouting philosophy suggests to be a franchise signal-caller, a prospect has to be at least 6-feet tall.
Then came Russell Wilson in 2012, all 5-foot-10 of him, and the narrative surrounding quarterback height slowly but surely changed. Last year, for example, the Browns selected Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 pick despite his height concerns in the run-up to the draft.
Mayfield ended up taller than expected (6-foot-1) and the rest was history.
The 2019 NFL draft feels eerily similar to last year. This time, it’s Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray whose ability to lead an NFL team is being questioned because of his physical stature.
Those questions were silenced Thursday at the 2019 NFL combine weigh-ins.
Murray measured-in at 5-foot-10 and 207 pounds; a height and weight that puts him at almost the identical measurables registered by Wilson in 2012. Wilson’s had an incredible career in the NFL in large part because of his dual skill set as a passer and runner; Murray may be entering the NFL with an even more talented combination of traits.
Get ready, draft fans. Murray is going to be the first player chosen in April. And if there was any doubt that it will happen, it was erased Thursday.
