Myles Murphy’s time as a spectator came to an end on Tuesday.
Murphy wasn’t able to perform in front of scouts at the NFL combine or Clemson’s pro day thanks to a hamstring injury. He held his own pro day on Tuesday with nearly all 32 NFL teams in attendance and reportedly put on a show.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, the defensive end measured in 6-foot-4, 268-pounds, ran a 4.51 second 40-yards dash (1.59 split), a 7.22 second three-cone drill, 4.35 second shuttle, had a 31 inch vertical and 25 reps in the bench.
That 40-yard dash would have tied for sixth best among defensive ends at the NFL combine and his shuttle run time would have ranked third.
Murphy’s position drills were reportedly “impressive” as well.
The Clemson defender had slipped in recent mock drafts, but his performance on Tuesday will likely help him solidify his status as a top 15 pick.
Flowers trending upward
Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers could be among the first receivers drafted this year. He reportedly accepted an invite to attend the NFL Draft on Tuesday as his draft stock continues to climb despite his slight stature.
Flowers, who is 5-foot-9, 182-pounds, had a career-high 78 catches for 1,077 yards with 12 touchdowns last season. After running a 4.42 second 40-yard dash (1.53 second 10-yard split) at the combine, he’s visited four different teams (Cowboys, Giants, Patriots and Raiders).
The other receivers with first-round projections include TCU’s Quentin Johnston, OSU’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba and USC’s Jordan Addison.
Mock draft SZN
ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay posted his latest mock draft on Tuesday. McShay had OSU’s C.J. Stroud going first to the Panthers, Alabama’s Bryce Young going to the Texans and the Colts trading up with Arizona to land quarterback Anthony Richardson.
The other two quarterbacks he had going in the first round were Will Levis (No. 14 to the Bucs via a trade) and Hendon Hooker (No. 21 to the Vikings). His previous mock draft in March had Stroud and Young flip-flopped and only four quarterbacks going in the first round.
McShay has the Bengals drafting Maryland corner Deonte Banks in the first round and Syracuse offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron in the second round.
NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein posted his latest mock draft on Tuesday as well (his third overall). He has Young going to the Panthers at No. 1 and the Texans taking defensive end Tyree Wilson at No. 2, but using their second first round pick to trade up to No. 7 to draft Will Levis.
Zierlein has the Bengals drafting Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave.
Previously
Monday, April 3: Jalen Carter narrows his focus, QB prospects get to work
Michael Niziolek covers the Bengals for cleveland.com. Follow him on Twitter @michaelniziolek, click here for more coverage.
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