Why DeMarco Murray isn't destined for first round
Published: 4/21/2011 4:53 PM
Last Modified: 4/21/2011 4:53 PM
It doesn't appear that DeMarco Murray, who gained more all-purpose yardage than any Oklahoma Sooner in history, is destined for the NFL draft's first round next week. It's nothing personal.
It's just the way pro teams are doing business these days.
"The arrival of the salary cap forces teams to take a more economics-based approach to roster development," Mike Tanier writes for NBCSports.com, "and with so many inexpensive late-round picks outperforming top prospects, teams began to realize that supply outstripped demand."
That has applied specifically to the running back position over the last 15 years, Tanier points out. The success of late-rounders Terrell Davis, Priest Holmes, Jamaal Anderson and Curtis Martin has run counter to top-10 busts Lawrence Phillips, Ki-Jana Carter and Tim Biakabutuka.
Thus, while Tanier calls Murray "a 215-pound slasher with tremendous hands and outstanding work habits," he also pegs him for the second or third round.
Nolan Nawrocki of ProFootballWeekly.com sees Murray as a potential fourth-round pick for Green Bay, figuring Murray fits the Packers' "stretch-zone, slide-protection ground game" as a "one-cut, zone runner."
Again, nothing personal.
Sheil Kapedia of Philly.com reported the Eagles brought in Murray for a visit. If they're interested, it's to provide insurance behind LeSean McCoy, not to invest a first-round pick.
The Detroit News' Tim Twentyman reported Murray visited the Lions, who are seeking someone in the "third or fourth round" to help complement Jahvid Best.
So it goes for Murray and several other premier college running backs facing a new reality when it comes to their draft-ability.
Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee points out that Packers starter Ryan Grant was undrafted. So was Arian Foster, Houston's 2010 NFL rushing champ. So were 1,000-yard rushers BenJarvus Green-Ellis of New England and LeGarrette Blount of Tampa Bay.
Writes Wilde: "The three running backs picked in the first round last year – Buffalo's C.J. Spiller, San Diego's Ryan Mathews and Best – finished with a combined 1,516 yards."
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
