2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Myles Murphy (DE – Clemson)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Myles Murphy.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Myles Murphy (DE – Clemson)

DE Myles Murphy, Clemson

6’5″ – 275 lbs.

Background:

A five-star recruit who immediately stepped into a major role with the Tigers, playing 432 snaps as a freshman and posting a 39-10.5-4.0 line with three forced fumbles before getting onto the field for 552 snaps this past year and increasing his output to 39-14.5-8.0 with another two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. PFF credits him with 21 and 22 stops in those campaigns, respectively. Over 586 snaps as a junior, posted 40-11.0-6.5, adding another 21 stops in the run game.

Positives:

Three-year starter with escalating production. Very big traditional even-front end who tended to line up on the right side as a seven-technique but would occasionally slide inside as far as the B-gap. Brings a consistent level of energy and physicality to the defense, which used two-gap principles. Plays with discipline, generally doing a good job of maintaining outside leverage to funnel ballcarriers toward help. Knows how to use his length to lock out opponents in the run game, with plenty of lower-body strength to hold the point of attack. Has heavy, active hands to discard, and can also make tackles while engaged. Breaks down well in the open field and offers a wide tackling radius.

Rush approach doesn’t undermine the team’s run fits. Predominantly a power-based rusher who draws some extra attention from opponents on passing downs. Fires out of his stance low, with good hand placement, arm extension and leg drive to bull-rush tackles and collapse the pocket. Has a surprisingly quick first step to threaten the outside, with a powerful straight-arm to jolt opposing tackles. Able to use rips on his speed rushes. Closes quickly when he’s able to find a lane and is also viable on stunts/twists. Some instinctive awareness of routes developing out of the backfield and can chip backs or make limited drops into zone coverage.

Negatives:

Able to anchor because of his natural power, but could stand to show more knee bend; can occasionally be caught waist-bending. Gets periodically sucked in by misdirection. Can have some minor issues working through congestion; range is relatively limited. Doesn’t always show the same urgency in pursuit when playing the run as he does when rushing the passer. Balance when trying to turn the corner leaves something to be desired; better on direct, power-based approaches, and can occasionally slip coming off of blocks as a speed-rusher. Took a handful of snaps in coverage but may be too big to do that with any level of regularity at the pro level. Could be seen as a ‘tweener for some odd fronts.

Summary:

A prototypical even-front base end who has the size, length, toughness, discipline and power to set the edge and two-gap in the run game and who also offers a powerful bull rush and a surprising first step on passing downs. Those traits, coupled with escalating production over the past three years for a major program, appear destined to make him an early first-round selection on draft day.