With the NFL season just four weeks away, it’s time to prepare your fantasy football master plan.
Pro Football Focus’ Andrew Erickson named former Sooner Kyler Murray as a top quarterback pickup for any PPR (points per reception) fantasy team this season.
Erickson labeled Murray as a tier-one option, placing him in the same category as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Dak Prescott.
While few believe Murray will lead the Cardinals to a Lombardi trophy this year, his status as a top-five fantasy quarterback is already cemented.
The 2018 Heisman winner averaged 23.7 fantasy points per game last season to finish with the third-most in the entire league (378.74). Murray’s 3971 passing yards and 26 touchdowns ultimately made DeAndre Hopkins a top 10 receiver in fantasy production.
While any improvement to the young signal-caller’s passing game is welcomed, his ability on the ground is what makes him so deadly to NFL defenses and your fantasy rival.
Murray’s 811 rushing yards were by far the most from the quarterback position last season (Cam Newton was second with 513). The former Sooners’ dual-threat capabilities give him the fantasy production of two players for the price of one draft pick.
Heading into 2021, the third-year quarterback not only returns a star receiver in Hopkins, but adds another after A.J. Green signed with Arizona in free agency.
The schedule will not be easy, as the Cardinals face the NFL’s top defense twice in the form of the Los Angeles Rams. However, expect Murray to rise to the occasion and earn you a piece of fantasy football glory.