Bengals have a great problem on their hands with Myles Murphy
When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Myles Murphy with the 28th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, they were adding to an already strong defensive end group. Four months later, the position looks even better than it did on paper. Murphy hasn't had an eye-popping training camp for a first-round pick, spending time with the second […]
When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Myles Murphy with the 28th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, they were adding to an already strong defensive end group. Four months later, the position looks even better than it did on paper.
Murphy hasn't had an eye-popping training camp for a first-round pick, spending time with the second and third-string defense and getting reps on special teams. According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, "Murphy has been quiet through the first week and a half, mostly lingering with the backups and flying largely under the radar."
For most teams, their first-round pick not making a notable impact early on would be troublesome. For the Bengals, it's a blessing in disguise.
Murphy is squarely behind starters Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, as well as reserves Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample on the depth chart. The latter two names are what's important here, considering Murphy had the best chance of competing for playing time with them.
In both individual drills and team work, Murphy is biding his time behind both Ossai and Sample. The tandem of third-year players aren't just ahead of Murphy because of seniority, they have each mightily impressed in the first two weeks of camp.
Ossai started taking the jump late last season when he recorded 18 pressures and two sacks in the Bengals' final five games of the season. He was one of the best players on the field in the AFC Championship game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, and he left that game with an injured left knee. He's fully recovered from that ailment, and is putting together quicker and more efficient pass-rushing moves in practice thus far.
The progression Sample is on creates even more intrigue. The former fourth-round pick has amassed just 39 pressures in 532 career pass-rushing snaps. He looks leaner, more explosive, and energetic in practices while also stringing moves together.
Murphy is not at the level of the players ahead of him, and that's perfectly fine. The Bengals look to enter the season with four competent edge rushers, and that might be all they have room for on the active 46-man roster. Hendrickson and Hubbard will be kept fresh with both Ossai and Sample rotating in and out with them.
With so much talent at his position, the 21-year old Murphy can develop at his own pace without hindering the Bengals' defense. It took two full years for both Ossai and Sample to get to where they are now. It wouldn't be surprising to see Murphy hop on the same path.
DE Myles Murphy can make Cincy's Defense SCARY: NFL Draft Film Breakdown
In this film breakdown, we take a look at Clemson DE Myles Murphy, a former 5-star and top-10 recruit.
Featured image via © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
