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2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | CHARLIE'S ROUND: 1

Teams See Huge Potential With Myles Murphy

Updated Oct. 10, 2022
By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.

During Dabo Sweeney's excellent run as the head coach at Clemson, the Tigers have produced a lot of NFL defensive line prospects. It started with players like Gaines Adams, DaQuan Bowers, Kevin Dodd, Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett. That line was continued by the likes of Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins. After that trio moved onto the NFL, Clemson took some years to reload, but the program now has a trio of quality prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft, led by defensive end Myles Murphy. While teammate Bryan Bresee has received more hype and media attention, NFL teams are higher on Murphy, with multiple team sources telling WalterFootball.com they see Murphy as having the potential to be a top-20 pick next April in the 2023 NFL Draft.

"[Murphy] can do whatever he wants to do on the field," said an AFC director of player personnel. "He is big, fast, and so athletic. I've seen him set the edge versus tackles, choke out tight ends, and be so dominant."

The 6-foot-5, 275-pound has ideal size to go along with his speed and athleticism. After recording four sacks and three forced fumbles as a freshman, Murphy notched seven sacks in 2021. This season, Murphy is off to a solid start, recording 15 tackles and three sacks so far. While his production has not been record setting, Murphy has impressed teams with his capabilities and upside.

"He has all the tools, but lacks a little dog," said that AFC director of player personnel. "If he had more dog, he would be more like Bradly Chubb coming out of N.C. State. Myles is kind of like the big kid on the playground who doesn't want to hurt anyone. He toys with people instead of dominating like he can. It seems like sometimes they need to poke the bear and then he gets going. I'm not sure a team would take him top-10, probably more like the top-20. Talent-wise, he belongs in the top 10."

If Murphy closes out the season strongly and collects good production, he could rise high in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. A year ago at this time, no pundits were talking about Travon Walker going No. 1 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and the attention was on Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Then last April, Walker, because of his skill set and upside, was takedn first in the 2022 NFL Draft even though Hutchinson and Thibodeaux were bigger stars with more production than Walker had at Georgia. Perhaps Murphy can make that argument over Alabama's Will Anderson in the months to come. Right now, pro teams are very high on Murphy's talent and see him as a potential top-20 pick next April in the 2023 NFL Draft.