Clemson Football: Myles Murphy projected in top 6 of 2023 NFL Draft

Clemson football defensive linemen have been stalwarts in the NFL this season and have also made a big impact in the playoffs.

The 2022 Clemson defense didn’t live up to most fans’ expectations, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t future NFL stars on the unit.

We’ve detailed two of those over the last year, Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee, who both declared early for this year’s NFL Draft.

Many fans suggested Murphy needed another year, due to his inconsistency and tendency to disappear from time to time.  I was one of those.

On the other hand, if the projections are correct, there was absolutely no reason for Murphy to return to Clemson and risk injury to “improve his position”.

Recently, Albert Breer of SI.com placed Murphy at No. 6 overall, albeit with a ton of caveats, which in my estimation should come with every mock draft.

In three seasons at Clemson Murphy totaled 139 tackles, including 37 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and six pass breakups in 38 games.

Murphy turned 21 earlier this month, so he’s still young enough for an NFL team to see even more potential.

The NFL Draft is almost always a crap shoot, because if the one team that is projected to take a player doesn’t for whatever reason, he could fall multiple spots because some number of teams following in the draft may not have the same priorities.

There’s little doubt Clemson football defensive end Myles Murphy will be selected in the top half of the first round

Still, at this point, there’s little doubt Murphy will be going in the first half of the first round of the draft.

Assuming he goes in the top 15 or 20, I think Murphy made the right decision as the risk of injury is too great and the “benefit” from insurance policies will not come close to covering the potential of two NFL contracts and the endorsements and benefits that go with them.

Ultimately, while we can share our opinions, it’s up to the players to make the decision and live with the ramifications, either good or bad.