Redskins: 3 cornerbacks to watch at the 2019 NFL Combine

The 2018 NFL Combine, for the most part, tests the movement ability of certain prospects. And there might not be a cornerback in the 2019 NFL Draft who moves better than Washington’s Byron Murphy.

There’s a general lack of consensus, pertaining to whether or not Murphy will be available at the Redskins first pick, but one thing is fairly certain: If Murphy tests the way he should, particularly in the short-area drills like the three-cone and the 10-yard split, then he’ll improve his stock for earlier teams. His free movement ability is one of his best traits, as I recently wrote in a scouting report on Murphy.

"Often, cornerbacks can fall into a bad habit, where they backpedal at the start of the rep, only to fall behind when they finally flip their hips to follow their man. Murphy, however, flips his hips at the start of his reps, using his flexibility to shadow his receiver, and his hip quickness to flip when he needs to. This gives Murphy maximum mobility and recovery potential. It also makes it easier for Murphy to shift from man to man with ease, if he finds himself between two route stems. Murphy’s physical quickness hones and collaborates with his mental quickness to create a surefire defensive weapon. Murphy’s footwork, in terms of pace and precision, is elite, and when he sees a receiver breaking in or out, his closing speed is lethal. He did have some minor trouble with comeback routes in the tape, but even there, he provides little leeway. Murphy is like a blanket in man coverage, making the most of the opportunities that come his way."

Greedy Williams might maintain his CB1 status in some circles due to his raw athleticism, but Byron Murphy has the quickness that teams need from their cornerbacks, in the modern age of football. He’ll show it off in drills.