Grayson Murphy DL/EDGE UCLA | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Grayson Murphy DL/EDGE UCLA
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.74 seconds (85%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2024 | |
40 time: 4.74 seconds (85%*) | |
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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Overall Rating: | 79.5 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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76% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Tackling: |
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62% |
Pass Rush: |
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86% |
Run Defense: |
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73% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#191
Position rank:
#38
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College Games: 45 College Snaps: 1803 | ||
College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Jose Ramirez - Eastern Michigan |
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90% |
Thomas Incoom - Central Michigan |
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78% |
Habakkuk Baldonado - Pittsburgh |
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76% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Christian Grayson Murphy, originally from Dallas, Texas, first made his mark at Bishop Lynch High School, where he excelled on the field leading his team to a 12-1 record and a district championship as a junior. Attracting attention as a three-star recruit, Murphy and his twin brother committed to North Texas, where Grayson redshirted his first year before posting significant stats including a career total of 60 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks over three seasons. His performance earned him Honorable Mention All-Conference USA in his junior year. Following this, he transferred to UCLA, graduating with a degree in African American studies, and continued his on-field success with 58 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks over two seasons, garnering Honorable Mention All-Pac-12.
Throughout his collegiate career, Murphy played in 51 games, starting 28, and made 115 tackles, 34.5 for losses, and 21.5 sacks. His senior season efforts included playing in all 13 games, one as a starter in the LA Bowl, where he tallied multiple tackles in seven games and recorded at least one tackle for loss in nine contests. Despite his solid performance, he was surprisingly not invited to the NFL Combine, though he showcased his skills at UCLA's Pro Day, highlighting his athleticism and football IQ in front of NFL scouts.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Shows exceptional first-step quickness, keeping blockers off balance.
- Utilizes a solid arm-over move and cross-chop Euro as primary techniques in pass rushing.
- Effective use of natural leverage to dip inside and exploit gaps, showing promising versatility.
- Demonstrates a strong bend and ability to turn tight corners at the top of his rush.
- Capable of converting speed to power with quickness and change of direction.
- Plays with a consistent motor and intensity, evident in his collegiate game tape.
- Flashes potential with upper body strength to penetrate through blockers.
- Impressive performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl boosted his draft stock.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Struggles against the run, showing a high pad level and limited lower-body strength.
- Hand technique in pass rush needs refinement to effectively combat offensive tackles.
- Occasionally overcommits, which leads to penalties and missed opportunities.
- Lacks the ideal NFL frame, posing challenges in fitting into various defensive schemes.
- Tends to lose effectiveness when engaged by stronger, more skilled blockers.
Scouting Report: Summary
Grayson Murphy has shown flashes of promise as a third-down specialist, utilizing his quick first step and adept hand movements to disrupt the backfield. His agility and knack for pass-rushing were on full display during the East-West Shrine Bowl, making him arguably the best player not to receive a Combine invite this year. Murphy's ability to bend the edge and use his leverage against opposing tackles suggests that he can be a valuable situational pass rusher in the NFL.
However, Murphy's limitations in run defense could restrict his utility in an every-down role. His struggles with maintaining a low pad level and shedding blocks effectively have been consistent drawbacks in his college career. These issues, coupled with his smaller frame and average strength, pose significant challenges for his transition to the pro game.
Overall, Grayson Murphy projects as a potential rotational player who can add depth to an NFL defensive line. Teams looking for a developmental edge rusher with special teams potential might find value in his high motor and playmaking skills on third downs. While he needs to bulk up and refine his technique against the run, Murphy's proven pass rush ability makes him a prospect worth considering in the later rounds or as an undrafted free agent.
Grayson Murphy percentiles vs other Defensive Lines (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Grayson Murphy (Overall Rank)
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.