Las Vegas Raiders 2020 NFL Draft prospect profile: Kenneth Murray

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Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden have made it a point to select high character guys who can be counted on as leaders who hold themselves and others accountable. The Athletic’s draft profile describes him as “disciplined by nature” that comes from his upbringing as the “son of a preacher” and his status as a two-time captain helps reinforce that notion. Murray would fit right in alongside Clelin Ferrell and Jonathan Abram as young studs on the defense who bring excellent leadership qualities along with stellar potential.

If he were to be selected by the Raiders, Murray would likely shift from the Mike linebacker role he played at Oklahoma to the strongside linebacker position that is currently occupied by Nicholas Morrow. All due respect to Morrow who is quite the athlete himself, he is undersized and can get swallowed up by blocks so Murray would be a marked improvement.

The Athletic continues on to describe Murray as a durable player whose “outstanding play speed and relentless energy are difference-making traits” and projects him as “a three-down, run-and-hit outside linebacker in the NFL”. Most of the draft profiles on Murray agree that he projects as a three-down linebacker who has the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline but must work on his play recognition which should improve with time.

After spending big in free agency it is unlikely that the Raiders would use a high draft pick on a linebacker, even one as talented as Kenneth Murray. However if he becomes available to them and the Raiders continue their mission to improve the defense above all else, he would be an excellent choice.