2020 NFL Draft: Top 10 most athletic prospects by position
By Ian Higgins
Linebacker: Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
NFL defenses have not only caught onto the trend of interior pass-rushers but also rangy middle linebackers to anchor a defense.
Recent selections such as Devin Bush Jr, Roquan Smith, and Ryan Shazier have demonstrated this fundamental change in player evaluation. A speedy off-ball linebacker covering the short-middle of the field with a hook zone is extremely valuable to defensive coordinators, and when complemented by a strong run-stuffer can make for a quality defensive front.
Kenneth Murray is another rangy linebacker who plays with high intensity and can be involved from boundary to boundary. Hook zones over the middle of the field short of the first-down are his sweet-spot and his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes is crucial to this Oklahoma pass defense.
His backside chase on run plays also proves to be a valuable piece, covering cut back lanes and occupying blockers who should be moving downfield.
Murray has also shown promise lining up as an outside 3-4 linebacker, pass-rushing on occasion to mix up blocking schemes and create 1-on-1 mismatches with his speed and hip bend. Tackles struggle to match Murray’s quickness, especially when expecting an interior pass-rush from a 3-4 defensive end.
Murray will be a valuable centerpiece on his future team and will provide a spark plug for big defensive plays and quality pass coverage.