The Washington Redskins invested second-round picks into pass-rusher in back-to-back drafts the last two years. In 2014, it was linebacker Trent Murphy. This year, it was Preston Smith. Smith, while physically gifted, looks like a rookie adjusting to the NFL level. Murphy, after a so-so first year, is looking like he belongs.
Granted, it's only OTAs and players have yet to put on pads. But the second-year pro appears more comfortable and is catching the eye of head coach Jay Gruden early on.
"He's bigger, he's stronger, he's rushing the passer extremely well, he's getting off the ball very well right now," Gruden said. "I'm expecting him to make the biggest jump from first year to second year on our football team, because not only is he bigger but he knows the position. He's athletic, and when you put on some extra bulk and strength, it's just going to give him more...He's already a smart football player with great instincts. Now you add the extra bulk and we expect big things from him this year."
Murphy offers Washington some solid versatility in the absence of Brian Orakpo, who signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. He has been lining up all over the formation in OTAs, including on the right side at linebacker, with his hand on the ground and over the middle as a pass-rusher.
Murphy recorded 32 tackles with 2.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles last year. Late in the season, he said this about his transition to the NFL: "Sometimes I study so much film and think something's happening that I come slow off the ball and wait and see what they're going to do. Really, I just need to get going."
It sounds like he's putting that plan to work this offseason. The Redskins have a dire need for pass-rushing help (21st in sacks) so Murphy will get every opportunity to fill that void. If he can make a leap in his second season than Washington, with Smith and Ryan Kerrigan, may add an element to their defense that was missing in 2014.