Myles Murphy | Clemson 6’5” | 268 lbs         01/03/2002 (Age 21)

Myles Murphy was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, becoming the fourth Edge Rusher and twenty-eighth overall player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE PRODUCTION

Myles Murphy burst onto the scene his true freshman season, as the top-five national prospect started six games in his first year in Death Valley, playing in 12 overall. He earned Freshman All-American honors after recording a team-high 12 TFLs, with four sacks and 41 total tackles. Murphy again led Clemson with 14 TFLs and seven sacks in 2021, recording 38 total tackles, as well as two passes defensed, and two forced fumbles in 13 games. He earned second-team All-ACC honors. 

Last season Murphy had another strong showing, leading his defense with  40 tackles, 11 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and two passes defensed  in 13 games. He garnered first-team All-ACC honors.

FILM

Myles Murphy is not an especially twitchy or explosive athlete, but he has massive size and strength and a great motor. His first step is good and he is able to smell blood in the water and overcome being blocked when he gets close to the QB, with some sort of finishing move. Murphy is a willing and worthy adversary in the run game, and his strength and long arms will challenge NFL tackles. He possesses the lateral burst to beat most tackles across their face off the snap on inside moves and slants. With his size and current tools, he offers positional versatility and can play virtually anywhere along the defensive front. He has the size, length, strength, and traits, and if he can continue to improve his skill and technique, he can become a perennial pro bowler. 

ATHLETIC TESTING

Myles Murphy recorded 25 reps in the bench press. He chose to opt out of the other athletic tests and instead participated in positional drills. Teams were not concerned about his athletic ability as he has been consistently productive in impact plays and statistics for three straight years in the ACC. 

DRAFT ANALYSIS 

Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Great

Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Excellent

Murphy was selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. 

FANTASY INSIGHTS

The landing spot for Myles Murphy is a good one, as there will not be immediate pressure for him to come in and produce. He has two productive and established veterans in Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson starting ahead of him in 2023. The draft capital is also great, as he still earns first round capital but lands on a team in Cincinnati that will have a high scoring offense, affording him opportunities to play with a lead. Don’t expect immediate elite returns in season one, but Murphy could surprise us all if one of the aforementioned veterans gets injured. The long-term outlook for Murphy looks very promising, as his physical tools, his situation, and his draft capital have all aligned in a positive way. Hubbard has an out in his contract after this season that can save the Bengals $4 million, and Hendrickson can be released after this year, before he turns 30, which would save the Bengals $15 million. 

Myles Murphy is the DE3 of this very strong rookie class with his superior size and strength, and potential upside. He should develop into a cornerstone player in dynasty IDP leagues and has the upside to become a top-ten EDGE eventually. Expect to see him drafted early in the late second round of dynasty rookie drafts. 

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