After a promising rookie season in 2019 by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, which won him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, he was voted by players into the NFL Top 100 Players, coming in at No. 90.
He improved in 2020, his second season, and was named to the Pro Bowl. He moved up in the top 100 and the jump is significant. He moves up 51 spots to No. 39. After his second year, he is considered a top-40 player in the NFL.
Here is what some players around the league said about him.
Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young: “You have to contain a guy like that. It’s hard. I’m not going to say it’s easy. And if you don’t, you can see what he does to you. He’s on this list this year, so a lot of people didn’t contain him.”
Carolina Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn: “Like a laser with a cat, he’ll make you look stupid.”
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner: “I’d be real interested to see a race between him and (Ravens QB) Lamar (Jackson). He never timed a 40, but the speed is insane. You can’t just run this guy down because as soon as he escapes the pocket, he turns it on.”
Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders: “I call him a cheat code. You know, just watching him, you get him in front of you, he sizes you up and he just disappears. I think that’s cheating, the way he plays.”
That was just what players said about his running ability. They also spoke of his throwing ability.
More Warner: “His ability to even sit in the pocket and deliver strikes, he’s got the arm talent. The decision-making is coming, he’s still a young guy but he’s making all the plays.”
Cardinals safety Budda Baker: “People talk about his legs a lot but I think he’s one of the most accurate QBs in the game right now, and the harder he works, he’s going to be elite.”
Miami Dolphins defensive end Emmanuel Obgah: “If he keeps it up, for sure (he’ll be elite).”
He just missed 4,000 passing yards, throwing for 3,971 yards and 26 touchdowns. He added 819 rushing yards and 11 scores, becoming the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 3,500 yards and rush for at least 750.
If he takes the next step in his development, he could become a top-10 player in the league, which would, of course, mean the Cardinals have great team success this year.
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