2020 NFL Draft: LB Kenneth Murray Scouting Report

Film Analysis

At the 2020 NFL Combine, Murray described to reporters how his on-field intelligence is not discussed enough when talking about his 2020 NFL Draft projections.

“I do a lot of extra work,” Murray said. “I’m in the building at 5:45 a.m. every day Monday through Thursday”. On top of that Murray also said he studies “five to six hours of film every day”. For general managers preparing for the 2020 NFL Draft, this type of dedication helps explain a lot of what shows up on tape for Murray.

Murray is one of those linebackers that have a tendency to be at the right place at the right time. The type of player who sniffs out a screen pass and makes a move to the receiver before the quarterback has even completed dropping back. The type of player who can tell where the holes are going to be on the offensive line after the snap.

For some scouts, this would be called “instincts”. But in Murray’s case, it is fairer to say he is extremely well prepared.

Murray’s best trait on the field is his downhill speed. On delay blitzes, Murray can run full-throttle into the offensive backfield, disrupting quarterbacks and running backs alike. This speed also translates when lined up with the defensive line, as there are several plays on tape where his speed totally overwhelms offensive tackles, with double-digit tackles for loss numbers in 2018 and 2019.

Murray showed sideline-to-sideline speed in college and looks well prepared to continue this once in the NFL. His explosiveness after the snap makes him a difficult defender for quarterbacks to track. Murray’s four quarterback sacks in 2019 do not do him any justice, as there are dozens of times on film where Murray is much closer to sacking the quarterback than most opposing teams would prefer.

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Murray can play any type of up-front linebacker role a team is looking for in the 2020 NFL Draft. Whether it’s as a pass-rusher, blitzing down the middle or staying back as a spy, Murray has the speed and techniques that NFL teams are looking for.

Murray’s tackling skills are also excellent, as it is hard for running backs and receivers to shake his nearly 33-inch arms once he has latched on. Murray also has the strength to drag most offensive players to the ground, as can be seen on plays where he gets his arms wrapped around a player’s chest or shoulders. He does have a tendency to try and arm tackle opposing players, a habit that will be far less effective against NFL offensive players.

Murray makes an excellent run-defender and pass-rusher, this much is obvious. It is his coverage skills that are a little less well-refined and will need some work by whichever team selects him in the 2020 NFL Draft.

While he has the instincts to move down and defend underneath passes exceptionally well, any pass that is going over his head can potentially be a problem for Murray. He is a step or two late after the snap when he needs to drop into coverage, as it appears he is still trying to process what his role should be on the pass. In the NFL, a step or two is all a receiver needs burn his defender.

Murray will have to work on his coverage skills once in the NFL if he hopes to be the type of do-it-all linebacker he envisions himself to be. He may run as fast as a safety, but in the NFL linebackers live or die by how well they can be used in coverage.

As the NFL continues to become more of a passing league, run blocking skills and occasional pass-rushing won’t be enough to get that second contract. To become a defensive leader, the Ray Lewis, Corey Littleton or Bobby Wagner of his team, Murray will have to take on learning coverages the same way he tackled his preparations in college.

The good news is Murray is about to become a professional football player. Instead of having to do chemistry homework and show up to classes, his sole focus will soon become practicing and watching film. We already know Murray has the dedication and focus to watch five to six hours of film every day. Once he is surrounded by NFL veterans and focuses his efforts on reading passing plays better, there is no telling how talented he could become in the NFL.