The NFL Draft: Advice for Incoming Rookies from Kyler Murray, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and George Kittle

Star athletes and NFL veterans Kyler Murray, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and George Kittle share their insights and advice for incoming rookies on transitioning to the professional football league.

The NFL Draft is an annual event that attracts millions of viewers and marks the beginning of a new journey for aspiring football players. While it is a moment of triumph and celebration, the transition from college to the NFL is notoriously challenging.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, and Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown have all experienced firsthand the challenges and rewards of being an NFL rookie. They recently shared their advice for incoming players looking to make an immediate impact in the league.

Murray, who was selected first overall in the 2019 Draft, emphasized the importance of self-discipline and professional conduct. "The off-the-field stuff and being in the professional building, carrying yourself the right way at all times," Murray said. "That adjustment, the schedule and all that stuff, for me, the biggest thing was just college and the NFL were completely different in that way."

St. Brown, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 Draft, agreed with Murray but also highlighted the added pressure and motivation for players drafted later in the rounds. "When you get drafted later, or even go undrafted, you might not even last up until training camp," St. Brown said. "You might get cut after training camp. You might make it six weeks into the league, then they decide to cut you. So, it's a different mentality."

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, a fifth-round pick in 2017, emphasized the importance of consistency and hard work. "The only thing that really matters is how you show up and what you do every single day," Kittle said. "As long as you're consistent, as long as you're your best self every single day and you put your best self on tape, you're respectful in the building, you got a chance to go out there and achieve your dream."

Murray also advised rookies to maintain their confidence and play to their strengths. "Be yourself," Murray explained. "Don't be the guy coming in – you want to be humble, and you want to be observant of everything and be listening to everybody. But, at the same time, you understand what got you here, who you are as a player, who you are as a person. Be that guy because that's the guy who got you drafted."

St. Brown cited Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen as an example of a player who took several years to realize his full potential in the NFL. "The cream always rises to the top," St. Brown said. "It means no matter where you get picked, whether it's the first pick of the draft or the last pick — like [49ers quarterback] Brock Purdy — or anywhere in between or undrafted, I think, at the end of the day, the best players will always come to light. Whether that's in a year, whether that's in two years. Some guys' processes are different."

While discipline and professionalism are crucial for rookie success, Murray also cautioned against excessive caution. "I would tell all rookies, 'Be yourself,'" Murray explained. "And what I mean by that is don't be the guy coming in – you want to be humble, and you want to be observant of everything and be listening to everybody. But, at the same time, you understand what got you here, who you are as a player, who you are as a person. Be that guy because that's the guy who got you drafted."

The NFL Draft is a challenging but rewarding experience, and the advice from experienced players like Murray, St. Brown, and Kittle can help incoming rookies navigate the transition from college to the professional level. By maintaining self-discipline, embracing their strengths, and staying true to themselves, they can maximize their potential and thrive in the NFL.