If the New York Jets decide to draft a Quarter Back (QB), Aaron Murray would be a good choice

Aaron Murray — QB —University of Georgia

A quarterback with one of the larger opportunities to be a steal, Murray is one of the many college players that enter the NFL with the term “winner” linked to them. However, this former Bulldog may actually deserve the title, starting since his freshman season, and racking up a 36-18 total win-loss record.

Murray is your more traditional NFL QB prospect. He throws well from the pocket, his fundamentals are sound, and he releases the ball quick and efficiently. Murray has proven that he is a comfortable and confident leader, demonstrating it in the bright lights of SEC football.

To talk about his height (6’1?) is to make me feel like a senior citizen—we’ve seen successful shorter QBs. NFL.com analyst, and former Cowboys VP of Player Personnel, Gil Brandt, put it best in a piece on Murray:

I’m not in love with these comparisons, but the ones I would use with Murray are Drew Brees and Russell Wilson, and not just because of the perceived lack of height. They’re smart as hell and fighters who put the necessary work in during the week. They’re the first in, last out. And they’ve taken their teams to surprising — sometimes unprecedented — heights. -NFL

Tape tells all

Here, we see Murray throwing the corner-endzone, back shoulder throw, looking off defenders on the left side from even before the snap. The throw itself is not as impressive, as the timing and football IQ is.

Again, against LSU, we see Murray throwing for a touchdown, but on a much more impressive deep-ball. He really shows off what a beautiful spiral he can throw, and that he’s not just a ‘short-armed, smart decision-maker’, a la Greg McElroy. The pass is perfectly aimed to the back of the end zone, where only his receiver can make a play.

The ‘Red Flags’

Aaron Murray is currently scouted as approximately the 7th-10th best QB in this coming draft, depending on who you ask. He could be higher, although he is coming off ACL surgery. He sustained the injury back in November, and, while surgery went well, the prospect was unable to participate in the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He does, however, expect to be ready for his Pro Day on April 14th.

His arm strength isn’t as consistent as you’d like to see, but he doesn’t make unnecessary throws. He’s mobile enough in the pocket to make plays, but won’t burn you on the outside. Murray is traditional, but that’s not always a bad thing.

The Bottom Line…

What Murray brings to the field is passion for the game and his teammates, and enough arm talent, with the right talent, to win games.

After asking our Twitter followers who they’d like to see drafted at QB, given a mid-to-late round selection, Murray tied for first, with VT’s Logan Thomas, as the most-wanted quarterback by Jets Twitter.

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We’ll take a breather on the potential “franchise QB” talk, but Murray would, in fact, make a smart 4th round+ investment for the New York Jets, should he still be on the board.

@OneJetAtATime Aaron Murray in the 4th is a steal and should be out franchise quarterback

— Big Pal (@APal32) April 3, 2014