Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft: Falcons Land an Edge Rusher
The Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft will be a running mock draft that spans between now and round one of the NFL Draft. Each of the 31 picks (Miami forfeited their first-round pick due to tampering) will get a dedicated post. Here’s how it’ll work:
- Every pick in the Mock Draft gets its own post. We will do one or two picks per day.
- We will link back to previous posts with a running draft recap.
- This feature will not include trades and will cover the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Falcons are on the clock in the Bleacher Nation NFL Mock Draft …
The Pick Is In
EDGE Myles Murphy — Clemson
The Fit
The Atlanta Falcons ranked 26th (35%) in team pass rush win rate and 29th (27%) in team run stop win rate in 2022, per ESPN Stats and Information.
The Falcons spent $35 million on defensive tackle David Onyemata in free agency. Now, they address the edge by selecting Clemson edge rusher Myles Murphy at No. 8 in the NFL Draft. Atlanta needs an edge rusher, and this seems like an obvious fit with Tyree Wilson already off the board (Detroit) in this mock draft.
Scouting Report
PFF dubbed Myles Murphy “an absolute freak athlete” in their scouting report. Murphy has a pro-ready frame and is a solid pass rusher who racked up 20 sacks and 55 hurries in three collegiate seasons.
Murphy possesses the type of size (6’5″, 268 pounds) and speed (4.51 40-yard dash at Clemson’s pro day) that NFL teams covet on the edge these days. He packs an explosive first step, and his quickness helps him convert speed into power at the point of contact. As a result, he can beat you around the outside, or bulldoze you:
Final Thoughts: Unfortunately, he sometimes loses steam after contact and needs to develop better countermoves. He’s the prototypical modern-day edge rusher, but he must expand his rush repertoire at the next level.
Bleacher Nation’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft
- Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
- Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
- Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
- Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
- Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
- Detroit Lions (via LAR) — EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
- Las Vegas Raiders — QB Will Levis, Kentucky
- Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
- Chicago Bears (via CAR)
- Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)
- Tennessee Titans
- Houston Texans (via CLE)
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- Green Bay Packers
- Washington Commanders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Detroit Lions
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Minnesota Vikings
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Giants
- Dallas Cowboys
- Buffalo Bills
- Cincinnati Bengals
- New Orleans Saints (via SF)
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Kansas City Chiefs
