NFL rumors: Kyler Murray pushing for specific position in the draft once again

The Arizona Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and quarterback Kyler Murray is reportedly pushing them to address a certain position.

The Arizona Cardinals had a change in regime after a disappointing 2022 season, resulting in general manager Steve Keim stepping down and the firing of head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Now, Monti Ossenfort leads the front office as general manager, while former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is the team’s new sideline boss. Now, they have to decide how they are going to tackle the NFL Draft, and they have the No. 3 overall pick to take an impact player.

Apparently, quarterback Kyler Murray has a preference in how the team uses the pick.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Murray likes Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson “a lot,” and that he’s ” let that be known inside the [Cardinals’] building.”

Kyler Murray likes Paris Johnson, wants Cardinals to draft him

Following this report, Johnson’s odds of going third overall in the draft have increased.

Murray pushing for the Cardinals to draft some offensive line help early is not new. As Warren Sharp points out, Murray let it be known since he became the starting quarterback in 2019 that he wanted them to address the position. Specifically, he mentions that Murray pushed for Tristan Wirfs in 2020 and Creed Humphrey in 2021. Wirfs is a two-time Pro Bowler with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Humphrey is a stud center for the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

With a new regime, it will be interesting to see if they will consider addressing the offensive line to give Murray some protection at the line of scrimmage. After all, he is coming off of a torn ACL suffered in Week 16 last season.

The Cardinals are open to trading down from the No. 3 spot to garner more picks, if the price is right of course. It would certainly benefit them, especially if there is a quarterback-needy team looking to jump ahead of the competition to get the prospect they want. But would the team use their first-rounder on an offensive lineman? Or select a defender for Gannon?

We will find out once the NFL Draft begins on Apr. 27.