Vikings

Myles Murphy Is A Top-10 Talent Who May Fall To the Vikings

Photo Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

In Mel Kiper’s first mock draft, he had the Atlanta Falcons taking Myles Murphy with the eighth-overall pick. But by his fourth mock draft, the push of offensive players up the board caused Murphy’s draft stock to plummet. He didn’t have anyone taking the edge rusher in the first round. The college season has been over since Jan. 9, and yet reactions to athletic testing have caused players previously thought of as fringe first-round picks to become more valued by talent evaluators, all without playing a down of football.

Kiper does not stand alone in his opinion. Bucky Brooks’ article on Bleacher Report had Murphy moving from 10th overall to the 15th pick, and Eric Edholm of NFL.com had Murphy slipping from the ninth-overall selection down to the New Orleans Saints at pick 29.

Assuming Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stays put at 23, he could have a plethora of options available. And if Murphy tumbles down draft boards, Murphy could become an option the Vikings cannot refuse.

PFF described Murphy as a player with unreal physical tools, a freak athlete with superhuman strength and speed uncommon for his size. Analysts raved about his gifts. Murphy almost effortlessly overpowers offensive tackles, and he’s astonishingly quick and agile around the edge. Murphy’s play is stunning, and he has every tool needed to be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft.

Murphy exhibits incredible power in the clip below, pushing the left tackle back into the quarterback.

He destroys pockets and provides pressure to force quarterbacks to evacuate pockets, opening up opportunities for fellow defenders.

In the clip below, Murphy is matched up against Syracuse left tackle Matthew Bergeron. Murphy explodes off the line and pushes Bergeron back, and Bergeron holds him in a futile attempt to prevent Murphy from sacking the quarterback.

Murphy’s 9.52 RAS score (Relative Athletic Score, achieved via athletic testing at NFL Combine or Pro Day workouts) puts him at 20th among 1,605 defensive ends since 1987. His composite speed grading is strikingly similar to that of last year’s first overall pick, Travon Walker.

Adofo-Mensah favors explosive athletes who excel in the 10-yard split drill. Murphy outshone Danielle Hunter, a well-known athletic anomaly, in the 10-yard split, 40-yard dash, and shuttle drills.

While his bench pressing numbers are not as eye-popping, he very clearly exhibits the strength to completely demolish offensive linemen.

With remarkable positional adaptability, Murphy would fit seamlessly into any defensive system. He excels at defensive end, using his athleticism and pass-rushing skills to cause headaches for quarterbacks. Furthermore, he has demonstrated the requisite size, quickness, and leverage to hold his own against the run if deployed as a defensive tackle. Additionally, he can function as an outside linebacker, either rushing the passer or dropping into coverage from a two-point stance.

Despite his impressive athleticism, Murphy has some weaknesses. His play lacks creativity, an apparent absence of a pass-rushing plan, and minor technical issues.

To maximize his potential, Chris Rumph and Mike Smith, the outside linebacker and defensive line position coaches and Brian Flores can work with him to improve his hip positioning and hand placement. With these enhancements, Murphy and Danielle Hunter could form a devastating tandem that would cause chaos for opposing quarterbacks.

Murphy’s excellent locker room presence would be an asset. He displayed a composed demeanor and intelligence during his Pro Day interview, and his impeccable character is another factor to consider in the evaluation.

If Murphy falls to them, the Vikings absolutely must take him. It would be a tremendous mistake to pass up on such a high-upside player. It is vanishingly rare that a prospect of Murphy’s caliber could be available at pick No. 23, and they must capitalize on the slide caused by the offensive arms race.

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