Cincinnati Bengals select Myles Murphy in first round of 2023 NFL Draft

Former Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy proved himself among the top edge rushers in college football over the past three seasons, and now he’ll hope to do the same in the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals believes he is capable of that, picking him No. 28 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Murphy tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks on a loaded Tigers defensive line that ranked fourth in the country with 44 sacks in 2022. Additionally, he had 40 tackles (11 for loss), one forced fumble and two passes defended on his way to earning second-team All-ACC honors.

A former five-star recruit, Murphy immediately made an impact as a true freshman in 2020 as he started in six of 12 games. He was named a first-team Freshman All-American and was won Co-ACC Newcomer of the Year while becoming the first Clemson freshman since 1988 to record three forced fumbles. He ended his college career with 116 tackles (36 for loss), 18.5 sacks and six forced fumbles.

Murphy played high school football for Hillgrove (GA) High School. He ranked as the No. 8 overall player and No. 3 defensive lineman in the 2020 class according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Myles Murphy

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had high praise for Murphy in his recent scout of the edge rusher’s draft profile. He compared Murphy to former Titans and Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom, highlighting his consistent production at Clemson as well as his size and strength.

Zierlein added that although Murphy played defensive end in college, he brings “positional versatility” with him to the pros. However, the Clemson star still has some things to work on as he enters the league.

“Murphy has excellent size/traits and has been consistently productive in impact categories for three straight years,” he wrote. “He plays with a plus motor and good first-step quickness, but his game isn’t really twitchy or explosive. He has finishing talent when he’s inside the pocket, but he needs to vary his rush angles and find an effective inside counter, as NFL tackles will be expecting his long-arm bull-rush technique.

“Murphy’s length and post-up strength could provide the scheme and positional versatility that puts him on every draft board. The traits and upside are there, but his skill level needs a boost to push the ceiling higher.”