Jaguars Draft 2019: Will Jacksonville miss out on Kyler Murray?

Because of his measureables from the NFL Combine, where he came in taller than 5-foot-10, will the Jacksonville Jaguars miss out on a chance to draft Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray?

Never has 1/8 of an inch meant so much to an NFL Draft. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, it may have meant the difference in being able to acquire quarterback Kyler Murray with the seventh pick overall, unless the team decides to trade up to grab the best player this year.

Murray, the Heisman Trophy winner, helped himself immeasurably, pun intended, be measuring at 5-foot-10 and 1/8 inches tall, which now places him in consideration for the top pick next month.

It also means the team is in need of a quarterback will be calling the Arizona Cardinals to see if they can work out a deal. The Jaguars, who are in that position, may have to mortgage the future to grab Murray, something general manager David Caldwell said the team did not want to do when he spoke with the media in Indianapolis on Wednesday.

More from Jaguars Draft

• Jacksonville Jaguars fortify secondary in 4-round 2023 Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft
• The Jaguars may look for edge rushers with pick 24
• The Jacksonville Jaguars got so lucky with the 2021 NFL Draft
• Jaguars fortify OL with Jaelyn Duncan in CBS Sports’ 2023 NFL Mock Draft
• Jacksonville Jaguars don’t need to trade up in the 2023 NFL Draft to land a cornerback

The Jaguars apparently will move on from Blake Bortles this offseason.

It’s not just the Jaguars who miss out on such a unique talent. The Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals have all been linked to him, along with the Oakland Raiders, who pick 4th overall and of course the Cardinals, who have Josh Rosen, but still may look to take another quarterback for the second year in a row.

Not only did Murray, who gave up a contract to play baseball for the Oakland A’s to concentrate on the NFL, come in at the right height, but he also added 20 pounds to his frame, which is crucial to being able to take a pounding in this league.

And from the looks of things, anyone who drafts him, which will more than likely be in the top five, will have another game-changing signal caller while the Jaguars could still wind up with Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins.

Plenty of things could take place between now and April 25 in Nashville. The Jaguars are expected to add a veteran quarterback in free agency, with Nick Foles the name floated around the most. Teddy Bridgewater and Tyrod Taylor are also players thought to be on the team’s radar.

Murray’s news on Thursday set the Draft in a frenzy. Murray and Haskins are locks to be taken in the first round. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. Daniel Jones of Duke and Drew Lock of Missouri could also be first round picks.

If Jacksonville signs Foles to a deal in free agency, it is a good bet they do not draft a quarterback in the first round. If they sign Bridgewater, Taylor or any other free agent, then drafting a quarterback with their first pick is still on the table.