Denver Broncos: Kenneth Murray could be an ideal Fangio fit

We take a look into University of Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray and discuss why he could be a good fit for the Denver Broncos.

With under a week until the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, it is still anyone’s guess as to what the Denver Broncos will do with the 15th overall pick. It is safe to say there has been speculation all over the board ranging from the Broncos using their first-round pick on a wide receiver, taking a cornerback, taking a tackle, and trading up to get ahead of the wide-receiver needy teams, or trading down to take best player available.

While we won’t know until Thursday, let’s look at a guy the Denver Broncos may be eyeing: Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray.

A former Oklahoma Sooner, Murray was ever the bright spot on a defense that often struggled against other Big 12 opponents and was even ridiculed at times for being such a polar opposite from OU’s typically explosive offenses. Disregarding that, Murray is a beast and is going to make a team very happy in this year’s draft.

Murray made an immediate impact for the Sooners, starting as a freshman and quickly earning All-American honors, and was also named Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year in the Big 12.

He would finish his NCAA career as a junior with nine sacks and first-team All-Big 12 accolades as well as third-team All American. It is likely that Murray has been overlooked at times because of the defense he has played for, but for scouting departments, that would be a big mistake.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein’s draft profile of Murray has him ranked as a guy who will start for an NFL roster within a season or two, but it is likely that if drafted to a team who needs a linebacker, he could make an immediate impact.

Murray had a good Combine, with a 38-inch vertical jump and an official 4.52 40 yard-dash. However, if you watched any Oklahoma Sooners football in the duration of Murray’s time there, you know he is a playmaker and has the ability to change a game.

Murray flies around the field and is a hard hitter. His speed is mentioned as one of Zierlein’s top strengths for him. Notable strengths also included his risk-taking, ability to make a clean tackle, and that he averaged close to 15 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.

Notable weaknesses were spotty instincts as an inside linebacker and that he can be misdirected out of position. It is also true that at times, Murray is not always quick to diagnose a play, but his off-the-ball speed is second to none.

Murray is commonly projected to go as a late first-round pick, so it is likely he will get an opportunity to fine-tune his play and perhaps sit for a season or learn on the job. Murray would be the perfect candidate for the Broncos to bring in and polish underneath veteran talent with Todd Davis slated for free agency in 2021.

Murray would be a guy that fits well into a Vic Fangio defense and who Fangio could pull the most out of. However, the only way we are likely to see this marriage happen is if the Denver Broncos trade back into the first round of the draft. If that is the route they end up taking, a guy like Murray would be a great pick for the Broncos.