One of the pleasant surprises from the Tennessee Titans’ offseason has no doubt been undrafted free-agent signing and outside linebacker, Caleb Murphy.
The Ferris State product entered the offseason with no shortage of hype after tallying an NCAA-record 25.5 sacks in 2022 while also tying the single-season mark for tackles for loss with 39.
While those numbers are no doubt impressive no matter how they were achieved, the context to keep the hype in check was the fact that Murphy played in Division II and was set to make a massive jump to the NFL.
But Murphy responded about as well as he could have, tallying an NFL-best four sacks in three preseason games.
Even with that showing, there remained some questions about his chances of making the roster because of special teams, but Tennessee wisely overlooked that and kept him on the initial 53-man roster.
With Murphy’s spot on the roster secure for now, Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton recently pegged him as one of the UDFAs around the NFL who could make a big impact in 2023. Here’s some of Moton’s write-up:
In 2022, Key and Rashad Weaver, who logged 5.5 sacks last season, started in seven games combined. Murphy could become an effective rotational edge-rusher to round out a solid group.
With Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry and Landry drawing most of the attention at the line of scrimmage, Murphy could make game-changing plays in a designated pass-rusher role.
The Titans absolutely made the right move keeping Murphy, as you simply don’t cut a young pass-rusher who shows promise because he may not be effective on special teams.
As far as Murphy’s playing time is concerned, he’ll have a tough time seeing the field with Harold Landry, Arden Key and Rashad Weaver all ahead of him in the pecking order.
Even still, he’s an intriguing depth piece to have and the rookie will have a great opportunity to thrive when he does see the field, as there’s a slew of talented players in Tennessee’s defensive front to help make things easier.
Nobody is saying Murphy is definitely going to develop into a starting-caliber edge rusher, but the mere promise he showed made him well worth holding on to.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5]