After trading up with the Patriots, with the No. 23 overall selection, the Chargers picked former Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray.
It was between quarterback Justin Herbert and linebacker Isaiah Simmons with the No. 6 overall selection and they elected to take their future franchise signal-caller.
L.A. didn’t want to wait until the second-round to see if a linebacker could fall to them, which is why they moved up to secure him.
Known for his play speed and physicality against the run, pass and the blitz, Murray fills a hole at the linebacker position after the departure of Thomas Davis, Jatavis Brown and the durability concerns with Kyzir White.
Hereβs the reaction social media had to the selection of Murray to join the NFL ranks.
Kenneth Murray and Derwin James can both fly and they are both exceptional leaders!
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 24, 2020
Kenneth Murray solidifying the Chargers' defense πͺ
The former Sooners LB is headed to Los Angeles! pic.twitter.com/cY0MVBVotG
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 24, 2020
The moment @KennethMurray's dream came true#NFLDraft #OUDNA
πΊ #NFLDraft on ABC, @espn & @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/B7OGDQoder
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) April 24, 2020
This is awesome @KennethMurray. pic.twitter.com/yB6JVQecmg
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 24, 2020
Kenneth Murray is gonna dominate!! That boy can go!! #OUDNA
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) April 24, 2020
STUD @KennethMurray pic.twitter.com/QYwSD7qmWT
— Chargers Swap (@ChargerSwap) April 24, 2020
I watched every down Kenneth Murray played at Oklahoma. Great young man. But always a little disappointing as a player, especially in big games. Plays extremely hard, can fly sideline to sideline. But just tends to get lost and drop out of sight for stretches. Now, he's a Charger
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 24, 2020
Kenneth Murray has been drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 23rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. #Sooners pic.twitter.com/eFoiqJNbeI
— OU Daily Sports (@OUDailySports) April 24, 2020
This defense added: Linval Joesph, Chris Harris Jr, Nick Vigil, and now Kenneth Murray.
I'm so pleased with how this defense is forming. β‘β‘β‘
— πͺπππππππ/π·ππ πππ π΅πππππβ‘ (@LASDChargersFan) April 24, 2020