Report: Nick Bosa, Cardinals Meeting Friday Amid Kyler Murray NFL Draft Rumors

Paul KasabianSenior ContributorMarch 29, 2019

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1:  Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes defends against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Oregon State 77-31.  (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

The Arizona Cardinals are meeting with Ohio State edge-rusher and potential No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Nick Bosa for dinner in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

This comes amid a constant stream of news, speculation and rumors connecting the Cardinals with Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray for the No. 1 overall pick.

Of note, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported on March 19 that Murray met with Cardinals general manager Steve Keim and head coach Kliff Kingsbury on the OU campus.

Eric Galko of Optimum Scouting also reported that the Cardinals have already decided to take Murray with the first overall pick.

However, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN is not as sure a Murray selection is a lock:

The Cardinals, who went 3-13 last season, can't go wrong with Murray or a dominant defensive player like Bosa. They need help on both sides of the ball after finishing last in scoring and No. 26 in scoring defense.

Murray, the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner, dominated in his one year as the Sooners' starter with 54 touchdowns (42 passing, 12 rushing), a 69.0 percent completion rate and 1,001 rushing yards.

Bosa looked like he was about to embark on a dominant junior season after amassing four sacks in three games, but he underwent core muscle surgery and missed the rest of the year. He had 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 2017.

The X-factor is UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, who could be the answer in Arizona still. The 10th overall pick of the 2018 draft played in 14 games, completing 55.2 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Those numbers are below average, but Rosen also dealt with a midseason offensive coordinator change and a struggling offensive line that allowed the seventh-highest adjusted sack rate, per Football Outsiders. Prospects should look up with a more stable coaching situation and a better blocking unit.

However, if the Cardinals pick Murray, they can attempt to trade Rosen for a high draft pick. Joel Klatt of Fox Sports has reported that an unnamed team has already offered a second-rounder, adding that the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots are interested.

We'll find out the Cardinals' plans no later than Thursday, April 25, when the first round of the 2019 NFL draft will take place in Nashville, Tennessee.

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