Kyler Murray should do what Kyler Murray wants to do.
There is no right or wrong answer and even though we all have opinions on it, it is his decision to make and for now it appears he is choosing the NFL.
The A’s expect Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray, the team’s top pick last June, to declare for the NFL draft on Sunday, multiple sources told The Chronicle on Wednesday.
Declaring for the draft does not guarantee that Murray, an outfielder whom Oakland selected ninth overall, will decide to reject his $4.66 million deal with the A’s outright, but it certainly increases the chances that Oklahoma’s quarterback will decide to go pro in football rather than baseball.
According to a source, Murray declaring for the draft is not considered to be contractually significant.
Should Murray, 21, opt to enter the NFL draft, the real question will come Feb. 15 when A’s position players report to Mesa, Ariz. — Murray has an invite to big-league camp. He could still opt to be in the A’s camp, but the NFL scouting combine begins Feb. 26 and any high-round hopeful would be expected to attend. That’s when Murray would have to make a decision between football and baseball, and one source told The Chronicle that Murray, a possible first-round NFL pick, is leaning toward football.
If Murray chooses the NFL and does not play baseball, he would have to return the signing bonus, but the A’s will not receive a compensation pick in this June’s draft.
The A’s would retain his rights, but they would be in limbo.
If Murray decides to play in NFL especially at the quarterback position teams will expect him to be all in on football and nothing else, that is the only way he will be selected in 1st round if they have those assurances.
Some see Murray’s size as a factor (he’s listed at 5’10” but probably shorter than that), but his skill set is so great teams will be willing to take a shot on him.
Which teams?
It depends as some teams are locked in on the safer choice Dwayne Haskins, Murray might fall a bit in the 1st round.
Flip the pages for five teams that might pull the trigger.