TheLegendOfBoom":2t2bvug2 said:
DomeHawk":2t2bvug2 said:
Byron Murphy won't last until #20 and there is no way N'keal Murphy is going as the last player in the 2nd round.
Dumb mock draft.
You seem mighty sure of yourself.
What makes you think Murphy will go first round???
He will go second round like past recent UW DBs.
Speaking of being sure of oneself ...
I too expect Murphy to go in the first round. Reasons why as follows:
1. Generally very weak CB class. Williams is generally considered CB1, but it's not a strong endorsement. He, like DeAndre Baker, benefited from strong preseason hype. Williams undershot it based on an insane 2017. Baker kind of dropped off the map. Williams has size (6'3"), but very poor tackle stats -- and tape shows why. Also despite one year wonder interception stats -- his PDs last year and this year are kind of poor. To me he's a paper tiger. Good size but bad tackler. Good length but doesn't disrupt much.
2. CB is a heavily coveted position group in the NFL. I'd say it falls fourth in line behind QB, Pass rusher, LT. Except every team needs about twice as many corners as pass rushers and only one of QB or LT. So they get drafted early and often.
3. Playmaking defensive backs generally go very very highly. Corners that can get picks and PDs are like defensive tackles that can rush the passer. They are a difference making breed. And Murphy is strong in that department.
(Note, keep an eye on Joejuan WIlliams CB/Vanderbilt. Good junior year with strong pass defense. Strong tackler. 6'3" at 208. Could be a guy Seattle targets)
4. Washington pedigree. Huskies are becoming a much more known commodity. The players that have been drafted out of this program have all pretty much outperformed their draft position. There is a grown expectation that Husky DBs are going to be starter quality right out of the gates. It usually takes a body of work before earning a reputation that can alter/inflate successive prospects' draft status. Washington has achieved that status as it pertains to our secondary pools.
I expect Murphy to go in the top 20. I still earnestly feel like he could be a poor man's Earl Thomas at FS if he tests fast enough which is not a given. He is a unique cat -- strong at playing the ball, yet extremely physical as a tackler. He's the kind of hitter that can and has lay a Thomas on Gronk type hit. He demonstrates a strong instinct like Earl does. He often diagnoses plays rapidly and is already running full stride to where the ball is going to be delivered before it's out of the QB's hands.
Those kinds of traits are coveted in this league and in general short supply in this class.
