Here is Lance Zierleins
list from nfl.com sorted by draft grade
...Murphy, Marcus RB 5'9" 195 Missouri 5.2
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Overview2014: First-team All-SEC (all-purpose). Played in all 14 games with 11 starts. 2013: Second-team All-SEC (all-purpose). Led team in all-purpose, KR and PR yards. 2012: First-team All-SEC return specialist. 2012: First-team All-SEC return specialist. 2011: Redshirted with a torn right shoulder labrum suffered during July 7-on-7 drills. 2010: Played in all 12 games as the primary KR and a reserve RB.
Pro Day Results
40-yard dash: 4.53 and 4.57 seconds
Vertical jump: 30 1/2 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 7 inches
20-yard short shuttle: 4.39 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.16 seconds Analysis Strengths Has the foot quickness and acceleration to make something out of nothing when called upon as a runner. Needs to play in space, but has quality traits for a runner, despite size. Has enough speed to turn the corner and hit a big run down the sideline. In passing game, mismatches inside 'backers with razor-sharp cuts to the sideline, creating easy throws for the quarterback. Looks to adjust his routes over the top of coverage if quarterback scrambles. Has excellent hands and concentration to finish a catch despite impending contact. Celebrated kick- and punt-return specialist with seven career return touchdowns at Missouri. Weaknesses Needs to improve his reads and feel on stretch plays flowing outside. Small running back with limited amount of carries he can offer in a given game. Tends to float in space as a receiver rather than working back to the ball. Doesn't make the sharp, downhill cuts expected from him as a running back. Missed 2011 with a shoulder injury. He tries to get in the way as a pass blocker, but lacks bulk and strength to be trusted with blitz pickup on next level. Draft Projection Round 7 or priority free agent NFL Comparison Dexter McCluster Bottom Line
All-purpose running back with a lean frame and a big heart. Showed consistency of effort and production during his time at Missouri. His value as a runner is limited due to his size, but he has the potential to become a legitimate target out of the backfield and might warrant some reps in camp as a slot receiver. Murphy can step in and immediately challenge for the top spot as a kickoff and/or punt returner.
- Marcus Murphy of Mizzou was a 7th round pick of the Saints.
All I know is Mizzou fans seemed to love him and every so often I would see he had a huge play in a game. Still I didn't see Mizz much on tv over the last 3 years.
Up front this seemed like a special teams pick by the Saints, but then outside of Courtney Roby for a few years running the Saints have not really been fans of having players who just return kicks. And Roby was even more effective on ST defense than he was as a returner. Bookending Roby as primary return men they have had Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles and Travaris Cadet, who of course played major to substantive roles on offense.
Of course the Saints have at RB:
- Ingram
- Robinson
- Spiller
- Tim Hightower (yeah how about that, he's on the roster)
- Edwin Baker, formerly of UT and Cleveland (where actually I thought he looked pretty good actually)
I was pretty disappointed by the Saints draft, not for the talent but for their lack of picks at certain positions, especially WR, RB and G. And I at first overlooked this pick, said 'bah!' when it happened, but upon further reflection I wonder if there isn't more.
The Saints have had room and need for 4RBs overall and 2 RBs in the receiving game in the past. They love love love RBs who can run a proper screen and take it down the field. Brees had a few protection issues as we know last year, and everyone saw they missed Sproles.
This may be something, though I'm perfectly prepared for a 7th rounder to be pulp for the Turk when he comes calling in August. I also don't like the McCluster comparison, though that may not be fair or accurate. But my first thought on seeing the pick was that he was just going to be another undersized college small RB who doesn't have the size or strength to make it in the pros.
Does anyone have any observations from watching Mizzou football and Murphy actually playing offense to suggest there could be more "there" there?
