Trent

Murphy

The Bills took a free-agent swing on Murphy in 2018 after he missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL. He’s posted just nine sacks across 29 games in Buffalo and is headed into the final year of his deal. His release would clear over $7.5 million in cap space for the Bills, who signed DEs Quinton Jefferson and Mario Addison in free agency before drafting A.J. Epenesa in the second round last weekend. Jerry Hughes is already entrenched as a starter. Murphy would be an expensive fourth or fifth edge rusher.

Murphy played at limited health in 2018 after missing 2017 with a torn ACL and MCL. Now more than a year removed from his surgery, Murphy has noticed differences in how he feels physically and mentally this offseason. Murphy rebounding in 2019 shouldn’t come as a surprise.

There were rumors the Bills would move on from Murphy after one disappointing season, but keeping him through the guarantee date all but ensures he will stick around. Coming off a 2017 ACL tear, it is unlikely Murphy was really at full health last year. It would not be surprising to see him bounce back in his second season with the Bills.

Murphy has racked up a respectable three sacks and two forced fumbles through seven games, so his loss will be felt opposite RE Jerry Hughes.

That’s up a whopping 24 pounds since the start of last season. The No. 47 overall pick of the 2014 draft, Murphy is making the move from outside linebacker. Murphy will work as a run stopper after struggling to get after the passer his first two years in the league.

The move was necessitated by Junior Galette’s season-ending injury shaking up the Redskins’ front seven. The Redskins need more depth at linebacker. Coach Jay Gruden says Murphy will still see snaps up front. Murphy hasn’t developed as a pass rusher, and had packed on over 20 pounds as he prepared for his move to end. He’s reportedly already back down to 275. Whatever his position listing this season, he might really be a man without a position.

The ban especially raises red flags because Murphy piled up a career-high nine sacks in 2016 after managing six sacks across his first 31 NFL games. Murphy ran in the 4.8s coming out of Stanford and never projected as a big-time pass rusher. The Redskins briefly tried moving Murphy to defensive end last offseason. The Washington Post reports Murphy is currently appealing his four-game ban.

Murphy is already back to 100 percent to start camp, so this is more for bookkeeping purposes. Murphy recorded a career-high nine sacks last year, but he will serve a four-game PED suspension to start this season.

The good news is Murphy gets to serve his four-game PEDs suspension during his stint on the I.R. list. The bad news is Murphy is done for the year, costing the Redskins a valuable rotational presence who broke out for nine sacks and three forced fumbles last season. The Redskins are going to need Junior Galette and rookie Ryan Anderson to step up behind Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith.

Keep in mind Ryan Kerrigan is sitting out following a knee scope. Trent Murphy is locked in at strong-side outside linebacker. Though Smith is mostly known for his pass-rushing skills, the versatile 22-year-old is quick enough to contain the edge and can even drop back in coverage when needed. Smith will likely end up as a regular part of Washington’s oft-used nickel alignment.