The Arizona Cardinals are very confident in what quarterback Kyler Murray can and will be on the field in 2024. However, where he ranks among current NFL starters is certainly up for debate.
However, what should not be up for debate is his ability to make plays with his legs.
And yet, when ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky released his rankings of the top 10 quarterbacks in different traits, he ranked Murray only ninth among all quarterbacks in running ability.
The top 10 in running ability are as follows:
- Lamar Jackson
- Josh Allen
- Anthony Richardson
- Jalen Hurts
- Justin Fields
- Patrick Mahomes
- Dak Prescott
- Joe Burrow
- Kyler Murray
- Trevor Lawrence
He really ranked Murray behind Mahomes, Prescott and Burrow.
Murray had at least 400 rushing yards every year in his career until he played in only eight games last season coming back from a torn ACL. He had 244 yards last season, averaging over 30 per game.
Jackson at No. 1 makes sense. Allen, Richardson, Hurts and Fields all make sense. But Murray’s legs are the scariest part of his game. The lowest he should be ranked is sixth and he arguably should be higher.
Mahomes, Burrow and Prescott have never even reached 400 rushing yards in a season. No one extends plays with his running ability like Murray. Who can forget the 21-second two-point conversion that he had in 2022 against the Raiders?
He doesn’t have the size or powerful running style that the top five on the list have, but literally no one has quicker feet and better change of direction than Murray.
Over his career, his arm strength, accuracy, decision making and more can be comparatively questioned with other top quarterbacks. His running ability cannot. He is one of the league’s most dynamic runners as a quarterback.
Ranking him behind Mahomes, Burrow and Jackson is just foolish.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.