Is Myles Murphy's slow start a worry for Bengals?
First-round pick Myles Murphy is just two games into his NFL career. The days could not be more early. The Cincinnati Bengals rookie edge defender has rushed the passer a grand total of 16 times, and he's credited with just a single quarterback hurry.There's been nothing to write home about with the 28th overall pick […]
First-round pick Myles Murphy is just two games into his NFL career. The days could not be more early.
The Cincinnati Bengals rookie edge defender has rushed the passer a grand total of 16 times, and he's credited with just a single quarterback hurry.
There's been nothing to write home about with the 28th overall pick from this year's NFL Draft. And while that fits into general expectations, he hasn't been making the defense better where they've needed it.
The 21-year old is hardly to blame for the Bengals' early issues on defense, but in comparison to other rookies from his draft class, he's stood out in a negative way.
Our friends at Sports Illustrated list Murphy among three first-rounders that have seen their stock falling after two weeks.
"Murphy has done nothing in his first two games with the Bengals. After playing only 13 snaps in a 24–3 loss to the Browns in Week 1, he failed to reach the stat sheet against the Ravens in another defeat. With Joe Ossai injured, it seemed Cincinnati might have an opportunity for its first-round pick. Instead, the moment has proven little in the way of positives for Murphy." – SI's Matt Verderame on Myles Murphy
Murphy's lack of production is a testament to what we already knew about him entering the season. He has ways to go in terms of his development as a pass rusher. It's why he hasn't been out on the field as much, despite Joseph Ossai missing the first two games.
The lack of Ossai has not made things easier for the edges above Murphy on the depth chart. Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard have played a combined 216 snaps while Cam Sample has taken a healthy 53 behind them. This imbalance was not what the Bengals had in mind entering the season, and Ossai's injury is the main culprit.
If Murphy was more capable at this point, he would be seeing the field more often, and in critical situations. He's just not there yet, and he shouldn't have been expected to be.
For this reason alone, Murphy's stock hasn't truly moved in either direction. The status quo remains the same. Once Ossai comes back, Murphy may end up being inactive on game days. Even then will his stock remain truly stagnant.
Bengals rookie Myles Murphy has to grow up fast amid Joseph Ossai’s injury
Murphy has ways to go before he lives up to his draft status, but Ossai’s high ankle sprain will put him on the clock to produce.
Featured image via © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
