Pass-rushing outside linebacker Trent Murphy is about to hit the free-agent market. Here are three teams that could use his services.
The NFL free-agent market opens officially at 4:00 pm ET and as you can tell, there’s going to be a lot of player movement around the league. Just look at what the last few weeks have brought in terms of cuts and trades, the latter which will all become official later this week.
So what does the future hold for 27-year-old outside linebacker Trent Murphy? The 2014 second-round pick of the Washington Redskins started 23 games his first two seasons but was limited to reserve role in 2016. That worked out quite well as he totaled a career-best nine sacks in 16 contests. However, a knee injury suffered last summer in the preseason saw him miss all of ’17.
Best Fits
1. Green Bay Packers
There’s a new defensive coordinator in “Titletown” in the form of Mike Pettine, who takes over for Dom Capers. He inherits a Green Bay unit that has fallen on hard times as of late and could really use someone to pair provide depth behind outside linebackers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. The lack of a dominant pass rush (37 sacks in ’17), along with injuries in the secondary, are a big reason the Packers have allowed 30-plus TD passes in consecutive seasons.
2. New York Jets
They’ve broken up that Gang Green when it comes to Todd Bowles’ club. A year ago, Sheldon Richardson was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks and this offseason, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson was cut loose by the team. The Jets’ defense finished 25th in the league in total yards allowed per game in 2017 and managed only 28 sacks. This is club in dire need of an edge rusher.
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3. Los Angeles Rams
General manager Les Snead has already done his share of wheeling and dealing this offseason. Yes, defensive tackles Aaron Donald led the club with 11 sacks in 2017, followed by outside linebacker Robert Quinn (8.5). But the latter will officially be a member of the Miami Dolphins on March 14 and bookend Connor Barwin looks like he will test free agency. Murphy would be a nice fit on a club that will feature that new-look secondary.