Cam Skattebo has been one of those running backs who have kept many defensive coordinators up at night, planning a strategy against the 219 lbs ASU star. In just two seasons at Tempe, he has enough films to showcase what he is made up of. Sure, his Pro-Day output of 4.65 40-yard dash has put a dent on his standout status, the ASU HC Kenny Dillingham has put out just one message for the NFL scouts: “You want to draft him. Simple as this is, do you want to play him? No.” And the NFL teams have certainly listened.

Skattebo’s Combine performance had turned heads no doubt. And as we approach the NFL drafts, more and more teams are piquing their interests in the Californian. One of them is a local team, who don’t necessarily need an RB, but can use a complementary receiver for their star quarterback in Kyler Murray. Yes, we are talking about the Arizona Cardinals who recently invited Cam to the Top-30 visit. And yes, this very official visit also hints that HC Jonathan Gannon and the NFC West franchise are keeping tabs on the draftee.

Amongst the growing anticipation on why they want Cam Skattebo to remain a hometown hero and give the Tempe fans more looks at his skills, which the followers would definitely want, Murray has shared his thoughts.

Veteran Arizona quarterback with a career total yards of more than 22,000 runs banks thinks he’d be of significant use to the team. He told PHNX what he observed of Skattebo from his Top 30 visit. Murray said, “It (meeting him) was good. Bigger guy than I thought. He run a 4.6-4.62 or so something like that? 39.5 inch vertical. I think he’s one of those guys where it’s like, you know, people want to do the whole measurables and all that stuff. He’s a good football player. He’s a damn good football player.

“At the end of the day, if I was a…  I’m trying to accumulate good football players. If I can just have a team full of good football players, we will be a good football team. It’s not rocket science. That’s my thought process on it all is like some times you over fixate on a guy that runs the 4.3 and looks like a unicorn. It’s like, ‘Yo, is he good at football? Can he play football?’”

At the NFL Combine, Skattebo recorded a 39.5 in. vertical, second best amongst the RBs, and a 10-ft-3 broad jump. Impressive, right? While he did not participate in the 40-yard dash at the Combine in Indy, his Pro Day saw him run a sub-par 4.65 in the drill, something that many thought would affect his draft stocks even further. But Murray would prefer players like Skattebo, who he thinks can be a valuable addition to the team.

The Cardinals ranked 11 in total yards per game, and 18 and 7 in passing and receiving yards, respectively. Murray himself was the top performer when it came to passing yards, with 3,851 yards. The Cardinals don’t necessarily need an RB at the moment. But Murray would love to have support from someone with the strength of Skattebo. And HC Jonathan Gannon is onboard.

The Cardinals are keeping Cam in their circles and Gannon mentioned at a presser after the Combine, “Kenny [Dillingham] brings it [film] over to me, and he says, ‘Why don’t you check this guy out?’ I’m not through that part of the evaluation process, but I know he lit it up this year. I know he’s a really good dude with high football character who loves ball so that’d be cool to watch him.”

In fact, Cam wouldn’t mind staying back at Tempe either and he already has concluded what his pairing with Kyler would look like. Skattebo was told what Murray’s thoughts after his legendary run were, “There’s a dawg, he’s a dawg. You can tell, he plays with his heart on his shoulders. Artisanal sleaze. He definitely, I think, is the heart and soul of the team.” 

Then, Cam declared, “The talent that he has is incredible. You see him at college level, you see him now. I’m excited to see what he’s gonna do this upcoming year ’cause we get to lock him to lock in the whole season. It’s a different story. If there’s a chance that I end up there, then, we’re teammates, then that could mean a dangerous situation in the backfield. He’s a great player, I appreciate what he does on the field ’cause you can tell he loves the game and hopefully we can maybe get him some help.”

Skattebo’s heroics in the Peach Bowl loss are one for the books. He’s the only Offensive MVP title holder from a losing side. But it’s not just the HC who seems to be hopeful about having Skattebo on board. However, his draft projections are painting an immensely muddled picture at the moment.

Cam Skattebo to go to AFC instead?

Skattebo’s current chances at the draft do not look so good. This is despite the Sun Devils silencing all critics by clinching the Big 12 Championship last season. And Skattebo was the star of ASU’s campaign. He is currently falling between Rounds 3-5, in multiple mock drafts. And it won’t be easy for him, because the running back class this year is slated to be one of the deepest.

However, much to Kyler’s dismay, a surprise team from the AFC is also showing interest in Skattebo. The RB was hosted by the Cleveland Browns for a visit recently. The team is currently looking to add one more RB to their roster. Skattebo could definitely be of use. He is expected to be a light recruit anyway, as he was after high school. He could be a sleeper hit for any of the teams who’d pick, even if it is late into the draft.

The Browns would be keen to have Skattebo on board, given that they averaged just 94.6 rushing yards per game. He would be looking at the RB room that will have some room after Nick Chubb becomes a free agent. That also makes the RB room very thin, which would only have Jerome Ford as a dependable talent.

With Chubb gone, the Browns will see a dire need to get a dependable RB. Will the Broncos get their hands on Cam Skattebo? Also, how far will the Cardinals go for Skattebo, who could make for a brilliant pairing with Kyler Murray? We’d have to wait and watch.