The Bengals Draft Myles Murphy With The 28th Pick To Bolster And Diversify Their Defensive Line
What a killer time I had on the En Eff El Draft Show to break down the Cincinnati Bengals' first-round pick Myles Murphy. It was a quick segment, though, so there wasn't a ton of time to really break down the implications of what Murphy's addition means for Cincinnati's defensive trenches. The more I've thought about it, the more excited I am by Murphy's arrival.
Sexier picks at other premium positions and more obvious needs-filling prospects were on the board. I even remarked before Murphy was announced that Nolan Smith would've been a fun addition. Instead, the NFL led another Georgia defender go to the Eagles. Alas.
But OK. Myles Murphy. I feel like his talent level and production don't necessarily match up, yet that's the case with a lot of Clemson defenders in recent years. Murphy was a 5-star recruit and 247Sports' No. 1 strong-side defensive end from the class of 2020. He immediately made a splash as a true freshman with 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. However, I wouldn't be as harsh as to say he plateaued...you just didn't see that "JUMP" you'd hope to for someone with his freaky athleticism and physical tools.
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I saw some mocks and big boards that had Murphy in the top 10. I personally had him 33rd on my top-100 big board, which is pretty much right around where he was selected. Having said that, I realize I was lower than the consensus on him, and Murphy's availability was a surprise to Zac Taylor and the rest of the Bengals' leadership.
Murphy isn't turning 22 till January. He has plenty of upside to tap into and is one of those guys who can be absolutely terrifying for opponents if and when he puts it all together. High football character. Great motor. Nice qualities there. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo must already be on his whiteboard drawing up new wrinkles like the mad scientist he is.
I KNOW BALL. PROOF INCOMING:
Already, the raw power and bull rush Murphy has is enough to get by as a solid contributor in an NFL rotation. What I'm most intrigued by is what a coaching staff like the Bengals can do to unlock his potential. Anarumo loves exotic fronts, and he'll often drop eight and rush three. That's how you confuse the hell out of the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
Anarumo isn't afraid to spot drop his top pass-rushers in Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard on occasion. This worked extremely well in that AFC Championship Game victory at Arrowhead. BJ Hill came down with an interception with a great play in his own right, yet it was Hendrickson who entered Mahomes' passing lane on a spot drop that catalyzed the critical error:
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With Cincinnati's secondary experiencing some turnover due to the free-agent losses of star safeties Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell, they could really use some extra beef up front to get to the opposing quarterback more effectively and consistently. You can see on this play how Bell creeps up to the line of scrimmage to blitz. It's a simulated pressure look since you still have four guys rushing and seven dropping in coverage.
Trust me that was a roundabout way to set this up: When the Bengals rush three — or three plus a linebacker/defensive back — they don't have the ideal personnel to do that with maximum efficacy. Myles Murphy could unlock that in a big way. Why? Because he brings so much more explosiveness and quickness to the inside than anyone else in Cincinnati's current d-line rotation.
And it's not like you're asking Murphy to line up at 3-technique full-time. He's for sure an EDGE defender who, I assume, will replace either Hendrickson or Hubbard in the next year or two. Murphy can be an effective 4i guy and line up in the trenches with Hendrickson and Hubbard still on the field. That trio will bring a hell of a lot of power on a tandem pass rush, let me tell you.
Seems like there have been good vibes in place from the beginning between Murphy and the Bengals. A nice bonus, that.
Cincinnati can get really creative with five-man hybrid fronts featuring some combination of Murphy, Hendrickson, Hubbard, DJ Reader and Joseph Ossai, who's at least functional in space playing off the ball. As schematically brilliant as Anarumo already is, Myles Murphy is an intriguing new chess piece to add to the mix — and a potential game-changing presence who could make life even more difficult for enemy QBs.
A reminder: The Bengals led the NFL in passer rating allowed in 2022 at 80.1. Assuming last year's first-rounder Dax Hill and free-agent signee Nick Scott don't vomit all over themselves taking over the safety posts for Bates and Bell, this addition of Myles Murphy should make an already-elite pass defense even more formidable.
My condolences to the rest of the league for having to deal with all that sweet, sweet Anarumo play sheet jazz and defensive poetry in motion on top of a Joe Burrow-led UNIT of an offense. Who Dey Nation, I think we got a good one in Myles Murphy. Let's get weird and try to pick up two young studs tomorrow.
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