Player Signing Patriots claim EDGE Caleb Murphy on waivers

[mayoclinic]

I know nothing about him other than what was reported by @stelfans and in the media since he was claimed. Can you please tell me about his poor play, like what particular weaknesses he might have. It seems setting the NCAA sack record would indicate he wasn’t playing poorly all over the place.

Murphy's sacks came against Division II competition. He reportedly struggled in post-season against Division I. Per Lance Zierlein:

He dominated Division II competition with stat lines that are inconceivable. However, his rush appeared to lack power and unpredictability when matched against better opponents during his week at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He plays with average explosiveness but a quality motor and could create buzz in the future if he can become a more diverse and skilled rusher.

Caleb Murphy Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

I don't know much about him, personally. IVWT.

 

[mgteich]

I suspect that Jennings will be gone within the next couple of weeks.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

From what has been reported
“A core special teamer for Jim Harbaugh, Murphy had also played 29.5% of the defensive snaps this season with the Chargers, recording 12 tackles, a quarterback hit and half a sack.”

 

[PatsFan2]

The water boy right now is better than White.

 

[n1997y]

Murphy's sacks came against Division II competition. He reportedly struggled in post-season against Division I. Per Lance Zierlein:

Caleb Murphy Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

I don't know much about him, personally. IVWT.

Thanks! Thats very helpful!

Sounds like average physical gifts, 805 out of 1629 is very close to absolute median.

Question is what he does with them. “ a quality motor” is something I really like, partly because I recall it being used to describe Rob Ninkovich, another guy who wasn’t the most physically gifted athlete on the roster. Not saying he’s another Nink, just that it was a trait that I really liked in Nink and I see no reason to change that.

Also liked this: “…if he can become a more diverse and skilled rusher” because it suggests that he can develop his skills and become a more significant player. I can see this appealing to Vrabel, and I can see Vrabel coaching him up a lot. It’s not like Mike doesn’t know anything about becoming a diverse and skilled rusher!

The more I learn about this guy the more I like this acquisition. He’s just a JAG, but Nink was a JAG when he came to New England from New Orleans so I’m not going to take that as condemnation to eternal mediocrity.

 

[dliverey44]

Negator here, but if we are claiming players that weren’t good enough for the Swiss cheese D on that team…..

To be fair some players fit into certain schemes and not others. We have seen this play out several times across the NFL.

 

[dliverey44]

I like adding Murphy to see if he can develop. It does make me wonder which edge are they not seeing as part of the future, because I assume this is part of the building for the future move.

I do not think that White, Anfernee are on this team next year, so that leaves Truman Jones, Swinson, Ponder, and Murphy behind Landry and Chaisson (assuming he is resigned)

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Negator here, but if we are claiming players that weren’t good enough for the Swiss cheese D on that team…..

Kyle Van Noy couldn't get time on a terrible Lions team. . . .

 

[JoeSixPat]

There's been some speculation about adding an Edge on D - although I was expecting that to be a trade of a better established person.

No harm in signing a cheap player to see if he might fit rather than paying a veteran - but we still might not be done at Edge

2025 NFL trade needs tracker: Every team’s top priority ahead of Nov. 4 deadline

 

[Steve102]

The water boy right now is better than White.

There may be something to this. Perhaps it’s a message being sent. Maybe he’s just here to rep Myles Garrett in practice. Time will tell.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Poor testing and poor play against Div I level of competition.

Did Ferris State or Grand Valley play any D1 schools? I know his team won Div 2 national championship. I don't think he went to Senior bowl or combine where he could compete vs D1 players.
could have been testing Caleb Murphy - MockDraftable

 

[Real fan 02]

I suspect that Jennings will be gone within the next couple of weeks.

I'd kinda be cautious about moving Jennings.. as guys that stop the run are a needed commodity especially if we see the Colts in the postseason.. just my opinion..

 

[Real fan 02]

I like adding Murphy to see if he can develop. It does make me wonder which edge are they not seeing as part of the future, because I assume this is part of the building for the future move.

I do not think that White, Anfernee are on this team next year, so that leaves Truman Jones, Swinson, Ponder, and Murphy behind Landry and Chaisson (assuming he is resigned)

I think it's a sure bet Chaisson is resigned here. He fits well here and Vrabel loves him. He is also a team leader, culture fit and a starter. He will be back is my feeling. White probably walks, I'd keep Jennings for now.. as mentioned to @mgteich

 

[Real fan 02]

The water boy right now is better than White.

We don't want to insult the water boy.. white have not even sniffed a QB this season..

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I'd kinda be cautious about moving Jennings.. as guys that stop the run are a needed commodity especially if we see the Colts in the postseason.. just my opinion..

Yeah, juice doesn't seem worth the squeeze to move him. It's not like he's highly paid. His base salary is $1.85M so you clear the pro rated portion of that, but then have to sign someone for the roster spot so it nets out to nothing. No financial incentive.

I understand he's not the best scheme fit, but at least he's worthy of NFL snaps. You always want scheme fits, but at a certain point you also have to be willing to tweak the scheme to fit an NFL-snaps caliber player when you don't have any other such players. We're one injury away from really scrambling for EDGE snaps.

Next year his salary jumps to $4M which isn't nothing and you have an offseason of possibilities to vet, so I think he should be gone before next year. But our EDGE depth doesn't seem good enough to move him for like a 7th to 6th round swap which I imagine is his value.

 

[Real fan 02]

Yeah, juice doesn't seem worth the squeeze to move him. It's not like he's highly paid. His base salary is $1.85M so you clear the pro rated portion of that, but then have to sign someone for the roster spot so it nets out to nothing. No financial incentive.

I understand he's not the best scheme fit, but at least he's worthy of NFL snaps. You always want scheme fits, but at a certain point you also have to be willing to tweak the scheme to fit an NFL-snaps caliber player when you don't have any other such players. We're one injury away from really scrambling for EDGE snaps.

Next year his salary jumps to $4M which isn't nothing and you have an offseason of possibilities to vet, so I think he should be gone before next year. But our EDGE depth doesn't seem good enough to move him for like a 7th to 6th round swap which I imagine is his value.

Agreed here. Guys who set the edge well and already on the team under a kibbles and bits contract really isn't worth moving.. I get it as well if we parted ways after the season.. however he's a veteran depth player that been a good locker room and culture fit under Vrabel .

As the weather turns and we get into the postseason. We will need all run support especially facing a Jonathan Taylor.

 

[Brady to Maye]

We nee LB's that can cover . We will see what he can do in that department.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Here's a scouting report on Murphy. He dominated division II but that's a pretty low level of competition. Somebody brought up his RAS and his athleticism is mediocre by NFL standards. I'm guessing Vrabel just feels this is a coachable guy who maybe he can develop into a rotation piece. But he doesn't exactly sound like having starter potential.

"Pauline still projects Murphy to just barely get drafted. Listed as an OLB, he is the last of that group Pauline believes will likely be drafted. Nevertheless, given his seventh-round grade, there’s a chance he is not.

Fortunately, Murphy’s sheer and utter dominance at Ferris State has drawn the attention of NFL scouts and coaches. Given what he was able to do, I would be surprised if there weren’t a few teams willing to take a shot on him, whether in the seventh round or as a UDFA."

Caleb Murphy, EDGE, Ferris State | NFL Draft Scouting Report

Ferris State EDGE Caleb Murphy is one of the most dominant defensive players of all time. But does his scouting report suggest his DII skills will translate?

www.profootballnetwork.com

 

[Real fan 02]

We nee LB's that can cover . We will see what he can do in that department.

The things are with LBs in NFL they are sideline to sideline players... although far more athletic than say 20 years ago.. the main job of a LB to back the defensive line and set the edges.. there isn't a LB in the league that can really cover like that. Fred Warner would have trouble with Bowers or Gibbs out the backfield. Marty marpu is the prototype of speed and range that can at least attempt to cover in space.

 

[mayoclinic]

Did Ferris State or Grand Valley play any D1 schools? I know his team won Div 2 national championship. I don't think he went to Senior bowl or combine where he could compete vs D1 players.
could have been testing Caleb Murphy - MockDraftable

No, he played against Div 1 competition in the Shrine game, and reportedly struggled.