Should the Jacksonville Jaguars pass on Clemson DE Myles Murphy in Round 1?

The 2023 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and the Jacksonville Jaguars are putting the finishing touches on their big board. Given their need to upgrade their pass rush, one prospect they're probably considering is Clemson defensive lineman Myles Murphy, who should be available at No. 24. However, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports thinks the Jags should pass on him in Round 1.

Trapasso recently shared seven unconventional takeaways he has after studying this year's draft class and says that NFL clubs should avoid Murphy in the first round. He acknowledges that Murphy's got good traits and measurables for the position but argues that his lack of production in 2022 should be a cause for concern.

"Even if I could be convinced Murphy is a first-round caliber athlete with first-round size, his productivity in college drastically falls short of conventional Round 1 standards. After the light appeared to turn on late in 2021, it never seemed to be re-lit. In 2022, Murphy was actually less efficient as a pass-rusher generating pressure than he was the previous season (9.5% vs. 12.6%)."

Trapasso goes on to says Murphy's athleticism is good for his size but not out of this world and adds that teams should be wary of his hand-work. He concludes by saying the former Clemson Tiger belongs in the second round.

A five-star recruit out of high school, Murphy had scholarship offers from several big programs but chose Clemson. As Trappasso noted, the Georgia native has to work on his hand usage and that's something the Jaguars' brass must take into account if they're interested in taking him in the draft.

On the other hand, Murphy has the physical traits that general manager Trent Baalke looks for in a defensive lineman, so if he thinks he's issues can be corrected with coaching, they won't hesitate to select him when they're on the clock at No. 24.

The Jacksonville Jaguars might not pass up the chance to draft Myles Murphy

Even though Myles Murphy comes with a few flaws, hand usage and tracking the ball carries, no draft prospect is perfect. And in the end, the Jacksonville Jaguars will take him if they think he's the best player available or the highest-graded.

Keep in mind, that other teams could also like Murphy as much if not more than the Jags, so there's no guarantee he'll be at No. 24. Also, edge rusher isn't the only need the front office needs to address. They also need to bolster their cornerback group, the tight end position, and maybe right tackle, so it won't be Murphy or bust.

Also, there's a chance the Jags take another player instead of Murphy and he ends up sliding to the second round. If that's the case, trading up then becomes a realistic possibility.

When it comes to the draft, there's only one certainty, nobody knows how things play out, so the Jaguars, just like any other team, will be ready for lots of potential scenarios. It's possible that Murphy appears at No. 24 in many of them, and there might be a few where he slides to Round 2. Either way, the Jags must find a player that can have an immediate impact in the first round.