In the second Arizona Cardinals rookie film room, we look at five plays that define Byron Murphy as a player.
Most didn’t expect to see Byron Murphy, one of the highest rated cornerbacks by most, to be available in the second round. But, he didn’t have to wait long day-two, as the Arizona Cardinals decided to nab an excellent prospect at an exceptional value.
Measuring in at 5-foot-11 and 190-pounds, Murphy isn’t a physically imposing cornerback. Nor did he turn heads at the combine with a performance including a 4.55 second 40-yard-dash, 36.5-inch vertical, and 120-inch broad jump. But, what he lacks in measurables and testable athleticism, Murphy makes up in ball-skills, tenacity, technique, and football IQ; as you’ll see soon.
In Murphy’s final season of play at Washington, he tallied 50 total tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass deflections. Per Pro Football Focus, he also allowed 320 yards for three touchdowns and a 54.5 passer rating. He finished 2018 with an elite PFF grade of 92.0 including a coverage grade of 92.1 and a run defense grade of 86.7.
Although he’s played in just 20 career college games, Murphy looks to be one of the most well-rounded prospects entering the NFL. Though he certainly has his weaknesses, his strengths tend to outweigh them.