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2019 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Is CB Byron Murphy the top corner?

By Aaron Gershon

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 08: Byron Murphy #1 of the Washington Huskies defends against Travis Toivonen #11 of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux in the fourth quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 08: Byron Murphy #1 of the Washington Huskies defends against Travis Toivonen #11 of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux in the fourth quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Byron Murphy
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 30: Byron Murphy #1 of the Washington Huskies warms up before the Pac 12 Championship game against the Utah Utes at Levi’s Stadium on November 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Byron Murphy only played two years of college football but is thought of as one of the top cornerbacks available in the 2019 NFL draft. Is he truly NFL ready? Or is he rushing his development?

Name: Byron Murphy

School: Washington

Position: Cornerback

Projected Draft Position: First Round

Byron Murphy from Washington is poised to be among the first cornerbacks selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. Murphy is an athletic ball-hawking corner who makes life extremely hard on wide receivers. However, he lacks the height that other cornerbacks such as Greddy Williams have in this year’s loaded class of corners.

Byron Murphy and Greedy Williams have been trading momentum throughout the season as evaluators debate on which corner will be the better pro. It is one of the more interesting positions in this years draft, as we still do not have a clear idea of who will come off the board first in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Roman Tomashoff of The Huskey Haul which is the home of a University of Washington coverage on FanSided is high on Murphy after watching him closely the past two seasons. Rightfully so as they watch Murphy match up against and shut down opposing wide receivers.

Tomashoff says the following about Byron Murphy: “He’s super athletic and a great playmaker with incredible ball skills. He knows how to mirror and stick to a receiver and is quick to react on comeback routes.”

However, Tomashoff worries that Murphy’s size may hurt his draft stock. Thus, he believes Murphy should put on weight saying “If Murphy can retain his athleticism and put on around 10 pounds by the combine, scouts would probably not view him in that same light.”

It is evident that Murphy’s biggest weakness is his size which may just be a good problem to have. He has all the tools to be a great corner in the NFL but, like any draft prospect, there’s still parts of his game that can improve not including size or weight.

Let’s dig into Byron Murphy’s biggest strengths and weaknesses.

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