Byron Murphy’s Prevalence Increases With Peterson Suspension

With Patrick Peterson suspended for the first six games of the NFL’s regular season, rookie Byron Murphy will see a huge uptick in usage.

Arizona Cardinals star cornerback Patrick Peterson has been suspended for the first six games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, ESPN announced earlier today. Peterson has never missed a single game in his nine-year career.

Luckily, this mishap could’ve been much more harmful. No matter how you look at it, Arizona’s draft grade has just gotten better, as they’ve seemed to accidentally prepare for this situation- drafting University of Washington corner Byron Murphy with the 33rd pick just weeks ago.

Murphy played at an excellent level in college. In his senior season, he put up some excellent numbers: 37 solo tackles, 13 pass deflections, and four interceptions, one which he ran back for the only touchdown in the Pac-12 Championship game.

It’s very likely that Murphy will be scooting his way into the top cornerback spot come September when Arizona plays their first regular season game against Detroit. He will have a challenging NFL debut when he lines up against the skillful and wiggly no. 1 receiver in Detroit, Kenny Golladay.

Murphy had this to say after being drafted, according to azcentral.

"“Come in and get a spot. Get a role, whatever it is, whether that’s special teams, starting on defense. Whatever it is just go hard. Go 100%. … Just get on this field and show ’em what I can do, and let’s win some games.”"

The Cardinals defense has not worried much about opposing teams top receivers these last years, with Peterson allowing the lowest target rate in NFL among outside CB’s last season with just 10.4%.

In 2015, Peterson also took home the honors of the lowest passer rating allowed in coverage in the NFL, with opposing quarterbacks averaging just a 35.8 rating when targeting Peterson. Peterson has always taken pride in following the opposing team’s best weapon where ever they line up on the field.

Peterson has long been labeled one of the game’s best current defensive backs. With this glowing opportunity, Murphy has been given more than just a ‘spot’  to start his NFL career.