2023 NFL Draft grades: Bengals pick Myles Murphy at No. 28; what Cincinnati is getting in Clemson pass rusher

Getty Images

The Cincinnati Bengals are beefing up their pass rush, as they selected former Clemson pass rusher Myles Murphy with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. With a defensive end room headlined by the likes of Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, Murphy has a couple of veterans to teach him the ropes as he makes this transition.

A former five-star prospect (and the nation's top strong-side defensive end) out of Hillgrove High School in Georgia, Murphy was a model of consistency during his three seasons at Clemson. In each campaign, he recorded at least the following: 10 games played, 37 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks -- not to mention his six-career forced fumbles.

Standing at 6-foot-5, 268 pounds, Murphy was a First Team All-ACC player in 2022. He recorded the second-most sacks in the ACC over the past three seasons with 18.5. Murphy has the upside many teams are after at his position. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Murphy, including his scouting report, prospect ranking, pro comparison, combine results, college and high school accolades and overall NFL outlook.

NFL Draft grade: B

"There is great value in getting Murphy in this spot. If they want to win a Super Bowl, they have to beat the the great quarterbacks in the AFC. That means pressure. Murphy joins a good group and gives them fresh legs." -- Pete Prisco

Join us for live 2023 NFL Draft analysis from CBS Sports and an updating NFL Draft tracker. Also check out Pete Prisco's NFL Draft grades for every first-round pick and subscribe to the "With the First Pick" podcast for nightly recaps, winners and losers and more from Kansas City.

Myles Murphy draft profile

Myles Murphy

CIN • DL • #99

View Profile

Age: 21
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Interesting fact: One of four Clemson players since 2000 to have multiple seasons with multiple forced fumbles and at least four sacks
CBS Sports prospect ranking: No. 20 overall | No. 4 QB | 89.07 rating (Long-term starter)

NFL Combine measurements/results

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 268 lbs | Arms: 33 3/4" | Hands: 8 1/2"

40-yard dash: N/A
Broad jump: N/A
Vertical jump: N/A
Bench press: 25 reps

*Murphy only benched at the combine after tweaking his hamstring while warming up

NFL comparison

Emmanuel Ogbah

MIA • DE • #91

View Profile

Scouting report

Myles Murphy is an edge rusher with great size, speed and power. He showed an improved prowess to stack and shed blockers in 2021. The Georgia native needs to construct more of a pass-rush plan and develop an inside counter for when his initial rush is stopped. He does a good job of impacting pass lanes when his rush does not get home.

Strengths

Natural athlete with great size and speed
Impacts passing lanes when rush does not get home
Quick off the snap, does a good job of shooting gaps
Good strength leads to an ability to turn speed to power

Weaknesses

Played with less urgency, regressed from 2021 to 2022
Needs to develop pass-rush moves and create more of a plan
Occasionally works too deep in his pass rush
Played with less urgency, regressed from 2021 to 2022

College stats, accolades

Year	Games	Tackles	TFLs	Sacks	PD	FF
2022	13	40	11.0	6.5	2	1
2021	13	38	14.0	7.0	2	2
2020	12	41	12.0	4.0	1	3

Honors

2022: First-team All-ACC
2021: Second-team All-ACC
2021: Fourth-team All-American (Phil Steele)
2020: Freshman All-American (The Athletic, ESPN, Football Writers Association of America)
2020: ACC Co-Newcomer of the Year (Associated Press)

Notable statistics

2020-22: Second-most sacks (18.5) in ACC in past three seasons
2020-22: Only FBS player with at least 10 tackles for loss and at least one forced fumble in each of those three seasons
One of four Clemson players since 2000 (joining Gaines Adams, Vic Beasley and Clelin Ferrell) to have multiple seasons with multiple forced fumbles and at least four sacks
2020: First Clemson freshman since 1988 with three forced fumbles in a season