4. Byron Murphy, CB, Arizona Cardinals
Outside of the aforementioned Darius Leonard, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award has predominantly gone to first-round picks. Here, we have the only candidate in our top-five that wasn’t selected during the first round in Byron Murphy.
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The Washington cornerback was the first pick chosen on Friday night as the Arizona Cardinals kicked off the second round by calling his name at No. 33. Murphy has the ability to get noticed for two reasons.
One, he’s very likely going to start on the Cards as they need someone opposite Patrick Peterson — assuming they don’t trade the veteran corner. Two, the Cardinals could have a lot of eyes on them this season as viewers tune in to see what will happen with Kliff Kingsbury the head coach and Kyler Murray under center.
Murphy has the making of a shut-down corner. He was a high school receiver and that shows in his ability to make a play on the ball. He also has sensational instincts, making a play on the ball on 31 percent of the targets that came his way (according to NFL.com).
A Phoenix native, Murphy will be given every opportunity to prove himself on an Arizona team desperate for new playmakers. Should he be able to rise to the occasion, he could end up earning the DROY honor.