Byron Murphy, CB, Washington #1

5112, 182, 4.47

Notes: From Scottsdale, AZ. Outstanding two-way player in high school as wide receiver and defensive back. Also a standout on the basketball team. Redshirted in 2016. Played in and started 6 games (first 3 and last 3), missing 7 games in between with a broken bone in his foot, posted 16 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 3 INT (for 17 yards), 10 PBU and 1 FF in 2017. Started all 13 games at left corner with 56 tackles, 4 TFL, 4 INT (for 78 yards and 1 touchdown), 13 PBU and 1 FF in 2018.

Positives: Outstanding hips, flexibility, quickness, burst and change of direction. Extremely fluid turn-and-go. Great ball skills. Superb vision, instincts, anticipation and awareness. Understands big picture route concepts. Natural feel for the game. Terrific reactions. Breaks on the ball extremely well. Aggressive, tenacious press cover skills. Tough and physical. Polished technique and footwork. Good speed and can run stride-for-stride with receivers in man-to-man coverage. Rarely beaten deep. Gets his head around and tracks the ball well. Effective in press coverage or zone. Reliable open-field tackler. Hard hitter, but in a smart, legal (leads with shoulder), controlled-angle way. Has a knack for forcing turnovers and creating fumbles. Shows up on run support. Highly effective bliter off the edge. Disruptive. Excellent productivity and consistently high grades in coverage.

Negatives: Average size and length. Potential durability questions. Occasionally gets out-muscled for contested balls by bigger receivers. Plays too loose at times trying to create the big play and will allow some completions.

Summary: Shutdown cover corner. Lacks prototype size, but an outstanding all-around player. Reminds me of a taller Antoine Winfield.