Kenneth Murray fits into this puzzle: Vontaze Burfict was on his best behavior for the first few weeks of the 2019 season, until a violent hit on Jack Doyle of the Indianapolis landed the Raiders linebacker a season-long suspension.
In the absence of Burfict, Tahir Whitehead and Will Compton, who was signed off the street in late October, did not do an ideal job. They struggled to be enforcers in the middle of the 4-3 defense for the Raiders while trailing behind tight ends and running backs in pass coverage.
In order to improve the core of their defense, the Las Vegas Raiders should look at middle linebackers as a top priority in the draft, and Kenneth Murray of Oklahoma might be the perfect fit.
Murray posted some impressive numbers at Oklahoma last season, racking up 102 total tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and four sacks. His athleticism in pass coverage could help fix problems for the Raiders, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle outlined.
A screen pass was just starting to develop into a promising play when the former blue-chip recruit from Elkins turned on the speed to split two blockers. Murray uncoiled his body to deliver a punishing tackle on 6-3, 240-pound running back Sewo Olonilua. The way Murray sent Olonilua crashing to the ground represents just a snapshot of his rare combination of athleticism, instincts and physical presence.
As outlined in the play above, not only does Murray have the athleticism to break up clever offensive plays like that, he has the awareness to recognize a play like that is happening and can ruin any hope of it working out.
While Clemson's Isaiah Simmons is considered to be the cream of the crop for this group of linebackers, Murray has a chance to change those beliefs with an impressive combine. The Missouri City, Tex., native has the capability of running a 4.4 40-yard dash, which is sure to turn heads later this week.
Murray made the transition to inside linebacker in college with little obstacles, and proved himself as a poised signal caller for the defense who is quick to the ball, a good tackler, and an effective blitzer.
Where Murray has room to improve is in pass coverage in the middle of the field. According to Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus, Murray allowed for 82.4 percent of his targets to be completed in his time at Oklahoma.
While he adjusts to NFL speed and gradually improves in pass coverage, the Raiders could use him in a role similar to that of Bud Dupree on the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Las Vegas just tells him to put his head down and rush the quarterback, he has the speed and football I.Q. to get into the backfield quickly.
With the move to a new city, the Raiders should make sure to look for any player who has star potential so Las Vegas natives can wear the Silver and Black jerseys all over the strip.
If he improves in pass coverage and can learn defensive schemes quickly, don't be surprised to see Murray's name be on the back of some of those jerseys.
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