With the 2023 NFL Draft taking place in just two days, there is much speculation of who the Bears will take with the ninth overall pick. There are endless needs on this team, with the offensive line, edge rusher, and cornerback positions being the most notable ones. But who will the Bears choose first? Since trading down from the number one pick, any hope of drafting edge rusher Will Anderson from the University of Alabama is out the window. There is a chance defensive tackle Jalen Carter from the University of Georgia will drop to nine, but it is unlikely. Right now, it seems that the most plausible outcome would be the Bears taking an offensive tackle, either Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State University or Peter Skoronski from Northwestern. However, if the Bears decide to go defense, one prospect that has been recently climbing the ranks is edge rusher Myles Murphy from Clemson.
Myles Murphy is an elite athlete and dynamic edge rusher who played three seasons at Clemson under head coach Dabo Swinney. Murphy was a 5-star recruit out of high school and the top prospect from Georgia by ESPN. At 6’5 275 pounds, Murphy played 12 games freshman year with six starts. He recorded 51 tackles, four sacks, and three forced fumbles. At the end of the season, Murphy was named a Freshman All-American by ESPN, among others. During the 2021 season, Murphy played 13 games with 10 starts, having a team high 7 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a team high 14 tackles for loss. Murphy was second team All-ACC. During his junior season in 2022, Murphy started 11 games, playing a total of 13. Murphy was first team All-ACC, recorded 45 tackles with 11 for loss, 6.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 580 defensive snaps.
Murphy has inconsistencies, but there is no doubt he is a powerful athlete. He is quick and explosive off the line of scrimmage, and has success making plays in pursuit. He has the size, hands, and arm-length needed to be successful in the NFL, as has proved to be extremely versatile, the exact thing the Bears defense needs. Murphy is agile and able to adapt to countless situations. Murphy does have some weaknesses. He needs to work on body control and overall field awareness. However, these things are teachable. If the Bears decide to go defense, Murphy would be a great pick with sky-high potential for Chicago.
