2019 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Is CB Byron Murphy the top corner?
Floor: B.W. Webb
B.W. Webb is a player the casual football fan may not have ever heard of. That’s exactly why Murphy should never want to be compared to him. Webb was a fourth-round selection of the Dallas Cowboys in 2013. Dallas hoped he’d develop into a starter one day.
Instead, he’s been on a different team each year of his career most recently with the New York Giants. Webb lacks size thus, a lot of taller receivers make easy work of him. Murphy is definitely the more athletic.
However, size plays a significant role. Murphy can’t let his size become a significant weakness like Webb or else his career will be a disappointment
Celling: Marcus Peters
When watching Murphy, I see a lot of Marcus Peters. No not, just the fact they both attended the University of Washington. Although, Murphy does not have the same baggage that Peters did coming out of school.
The Former Chief corner and now LA Ram is similar in height at 6’0 but makes up for the shorter size, athleticism, and great reaction time.
Peters makes life difficult on receivers with his quick feet and reaction time, something that Murphy shares. Both players have a knack of closing on a wide receiver who looks open to either knock the ball away or snag an interception.
Peters like Murphy is a ball hawk for a corner. He posts multiple interception seasons year in and year out. Scouts and NFL Front offices will hope to see the same from another Husky Corner in Byron Murphy.
If Washington truly developed Murphy the same way as Peters, he’s in for a successful NFL career.
Team Fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos & Pittsburgh Steelers
Murphy is undoubtedly going to land in the first-round; thus, the teams whose biggest need is a cornerback are the most likely fits.
No one needs a corner more than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They hardly have any secondary players under contract for 2019, and the ones they do are extremely young and underdeveloped. The Bucs will likely go with Greddy Williams but, if they feel Murphy is the better option, they’ll end up with a lockdown corner that can fit whatever system Todd Bowles chooses to install.
The Broncos are a more likely landing spot for Murphy. They need a corner to pair with an aging but still productive Chris Harris. After Harris becomes a free agent following the 2019 season Murphy would likely quickly become the number one corner. This is the best fit for him to make a long-term name for himself he produces the way he’s capable of.
If Murphy’s size hurts his draft stock, the Pittsburgh Steelers who own the 20th overall selection should jump all over him. Their secondary is filled with question marks, and they can use a young talented corner to have under team control for year’s to come. Murphy can be that guy and become noticed by the entire league if he succeeds in the black and yellow.