Assessing Washington Redskins first-round options: CB Byron Murphy

Should the Redskins draft Murphy?

Drafting Byron Murphy isn’t a problem, from a talent standpoint. He’ll be one of the best players available if he’s still on the board. The problem is passing up greater needs; although the Redskins should prioritize talent over need, they’re in a draft position where several prospects of equal outstanding talent could be available.

What if the Redskins had to choose between Byron Murphy and Cody Ford? Or Byron Murphy and D.K. Metcalf? Byron Murphy and Brian Burns? In all three scenarios, you can’t necessarily say one is better than the other; they’re all top-tier talents in the NFL Draft, and almost nothing, in terms of talent, would be sacrificed by picking one over the other. When the players in consideration are relatively equal, in terms of the impact they may provide, the question becomes this: What matters most?

You could make a compelling case to draft a cornerback early. Josh Norman only has so much time left as a starter. While Quinton Dunbar is very good, his nerve issue could end up complicating things. In the modern NFL, where passing drives success, it’s important to have cornerbacks who can stick to their man with plus mobility, and anticipate throws with accuracy. It’s important to have cornerbacks who can disrupt an offense. With his athletic traits and his mental acuity, Murphy is that cornerback.

If the Redskins draft Murphy, in time, he’d become the team’s premier cornerback, possibly headlining a starting trio of Murphy, Quinton Dunbar, and Fabian Moreau. The question is simply this: Are you willing to pass on direly-needed offensive talent, or elite edge rushing talent, to make this pick?

Depending on how the draft shakes out before No. 15, the Redskins decision could be made much easier. If Byron Murphy is one of the top prospects who slips through the cracks, he will be very hard to pass on. If drafted, he’d be an impact player right away.