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Kyler to run more?

Dual threat QB already runs a lot

Saw this story at Rotoworld talking about Arizona's plans for Kyler Murray this year. They're apparently trying to utilize more quarterback scrambles in the offense in 2025. That would be hard to do, it seems.

Six years into his career, Murray is already one of the most running inclined quarterbacks in the league. It's as a passer, actually, where he's been a little below average.

Since entering the league six years ago, Murray averages 37 rushing yards per game. That's 4th among all quarterbacks to start at least 40 games since 2019, behind only Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields. It will take some doing to exceed those numbers (and with Murray being a smaller guy, would be difficult for him to stay healthy if he's taking more hits while running around).

QUARTERBACK RUSHING, 2019-2024 (40 GAMES)
PlayerY/GGAttYdsTD
Lamar Jackson63.087867547828
Justin Fields50.250418250919
Jalen Hurts40.777674313355
Kyler Murray36.882503302031
Josh Allen35.599670351157
Daniel Jones31.170399217915
Deshaun Watson26.450265132213
Taysom Hill25.876361196325
Russell Wilson20.887379181115
Patrick Mahomes20.695365196112
Trevor Lawrence18.160231108314
Geno Smith15.4541698335
Justin Herbert15.479293121713
Carson Wentz15.1582138769
Dak Prescott13.47423199411
Ryan Tannehill13.36719289321
Brock Purdy12.0401274808
Sam Darnold11.97023283413
Joe Burrow11.76922580612
Baker Mayfield11.692272107010
Gardner Minshew II11.5591656795
Jameis Winston10.3491345033
Teddy Bridgewater10.0441164417
Jacoby Brissett10.06415964110
Mitchell Trubisky9.7521465058
Jordan Love8.542883565
Mac Jones8.1521454192
Aaron Rodgers7.6831736348
Tua Tagovailoa6.7641534306
Andy Dalton6.6551203634
Matt Ryan6.5601303915
Derek Carr6.0911795436
Kirk Cousins5.3861604565
Matthew Stafford4.1811453361
Jared Goff3.9961973768
Jimmy Garoppolo3.8561392156
Tom Brady1.8661131209

It seems like where Murray needs to most take a step up is as a passer. In that same timeframe, he's averaged a modest 238 passing yards. That ranks just 17th across those seasons.

QUARTERBACK PASSING, 2019-2024 (40 GAMES)
PlayerY/GGYdsTDInt
Patrick Mahomes283.9952697119561
Tom Brady283.3661870013241
Dak Prescott277.9742056114657
Joe Burrow275.4691900114046
Matt Ryan267.960160728650
Justin Herbert267.0792109313745
Jared Goff265.4962547715768
Matthew Stafford262.8812128314059
Kirk Cousins261.3862247515961
Derek Carr247.3912250613558
Josh Allen246.1992436018572
Tua Tagovailoa242.3641550610044
Aaron Rodgers241.1832000816536
Deshaun Watson240.850120407831
Geno Smith240.054129617636
Brock Purdy238.04095186427
Kyler Murray237.8821949811557
Russell Wilson235.8872051115448
Trevor Lawrence230.360138156946
Jimmy Garoppolo229.656128607944
Baker Mayfield229.4922110714476
Lamar Jackson216.8871885816046
Ryan Tannehill215.667144479340
Carson Wentz211.358122588339
Daniel Jones208.370145827047
Andy Dalton207.355114006546
Mac Jones203.752105905444
Gardner Minshew II202.559119506834
Teddy Bridgewater201.24488524624
Jameis Winston195.94995976653
Jordan Love194.14281546025
Sam Darnold193.170135188153
Jalen Hurts190.577146678539
Justin Fields155.65077804531
Mitchell Trubisky140.45272994329
Jacoby Brissett123.46479004017

Rushing production is king in fantasy leagues, so makes sense to be a little more interested in Murray, if they're committed to upping those numbers. If you wait on a quarterback, you can select him and possibly get top-10 fantasy performances each week. But I also think you need to make sure to secure a quality No. 2. If Murray is running more, seems a little more likely he'll also be sidelined at some point. In general, a guy I'm interested in if he falls for enough, but not a safe choice for strong numbers and a healthy season.

--Andy Richardson

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