Bengals draft Clemson DE Myles Murphy in first round of NFL Draft
The Bengals have done something they haven't done in over 20 years. Cincinnati adds to their defensive line with a first-round pick in Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy. Murphy, the fourth edge defender off the board in the first round, was a three-year starter for Clemson. He was exclusively a right defensive end for the […]
The Bengals have done something they haven't done in over 20 years. Cincinnati adds to their defensive line with a first-round pick in Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy.
Murphy, the fourth edge defender off the board in the first round, was a three-year starter for Clemson. He was exclusively a right defensive end for the Tigers, logging 1,561 snaps going back to when he was a freshman standout. He registered 139 total tackles, 37 sacks, and 17.5 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles.
Still 21 years old, Murphy fits the Bengals profile for defensive ends to a tee, standing 6-5 and weighing in 271 pounds with nearly 34" arms. He'll slot into the rotation with Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample behind starters Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard as a rookie.
For a look at what Murphy does well, here's what A to Z Sports' Tyler Browning wrote in his evaluation:
Incredibly explosive off the snap, often beats TEs to their spot when they’re asked to down block, getting into the backfield. Can consistently wreak havoc in the backfield…Showed he has the cross chop, push-pull, and long arm. Has also shown the ability to perform combo moves during a rep. Has shown the ability to strike upwards and gain leverage. Has flashed a ghost move…Has shown the ability to pair moves together or even get to a secondary move if the first one stalls out. Puts on a masterclass about using his burst to gain leverage. Is able to consistently disrupt the play this way.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler had this to say about in his NFL Draft guide
Overall, Murphy lacks efficient move-to-move transitions as a pass-rusher, but he is a naturally gifted with the explosive traits, play speed and length to be a disruptive leverage-power rusher in the NFL. He projects as a base end in a four-man front with the floor of an NFL starer.
Murphy may not make a huge impact as a rookie with so many defensive ends already on the roster, but he fits the profile as a potential long-term starter. He can slide inside at defensive tackle on pass-rushing downs and provide power at both spots.
