The Minnesota Vikings are bringing in UCLA pass-rusher Gabriel Murphy for a pre-NFL Draft visit.
Murphy is coming off a standout collegiate season, recording a career-best eight sacks, 38 total tackles, and two pass breakups.
Last season, the Vikings ranked 18th in the NFL in pass-rush win rate at 40%, as reported by ESPN, and recorded just 43 sacks, ranking 19th in the league. It’s likely that Minnesota will aim to strengthen their pass rush in the upcoming NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Analysis: Gabriel Murphy
“Murphy’s arm length might be a concern at the NFL level,” notes NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein. “However, his quick and refined handwork often mitigates these worries. He combines his hands and footwork seamlessly to evade blockers, much like an elusive runner dodging tackles.
“While Murphy might face challenges against NFL run blockers who can engage him directly, he often manages to slip past blocks at the collegiate level.”
Reasons the Minnesota Vikings Might Consider Drafting Murphy
Minnesota is counting on the offseason acquisitions of Jonathan Greenard and Blake Cashman at linebacker to offset the loss of Hunter. However, Murphy could serve as an excellent rotational pass rusher, providing impactful snaps right away.
According to Pro Football Focus, Murphy recorded 40 quarterback pressures in the 2023 season, earning an impressive pass-rush grade of 87.6 and a pass-rush win rate of 18.4%. These stats place him among the top edge rushers in this year’s draft class.