
#99 DE · Cincinnati Bengals
Height
6'5"
Weight
275 lbs
Age
24
College
Clemson
Draft
2023, Rd 1, #28
Experience
3 yrs
DE Rank
#149 / 161
Grade this player:
| Year | Team | GP | Sacks | Tkl | TFL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | ![]() | 47 | 8.5 | 92 | 5 |
| 2025 | ![]() | 17 | 5.5 | 52 | 2 |
| 2024 | ![]() | 13 | 0.0 | 20 | 2 |
| 2023 | ![]() | 17 |
Length
4 years
Total Value
$12.6M
Guaranteed
$12.6M
AAV
$3.1M/yr
The Bengals locked up Myles Murphy with what amounts to a fair market deal, paying $3.1M annually for a player who currently profiles as a depth piece but carries legitimate upside potential. At this salary point, Cincinnati isn't betting the farm on Murphy becoming a franchise cornerstone — they're paying for rotational production with the hope that he can develop into something more substantial. The four-year commitment with full guarantees shows organizational belief in his trajectory, which makes sense given his draft pedigree and the natural development curve for edge rushers. This C-grade CVI reflects a contract that neither breaks the bank nor screams bargain, but rather represents sound roster building at a reasonable price point. The Bengals essentially bought themselves time to see if Murphy can evolve from depth contributor to impact player, and at $3.1M per year, they won't be hamstrung if he plateaus at his current level.
Myles Murphy earns an F grade that represents a disappointing start for the Bengals' first-round edge rusher. Cincinnati invested premium draft capital expecting a disruptive pass rusher, and the production has been well below those expectations. Murphy's physical tools are evident — the size and length to be an NFL edge defender are there — but the conversion rate from pressure to sacks has been alarmingly low. The Bengals need more from their edge rushers to support their pass-rush scheme, and Murphy hasn't delivered. He needs a significant leap to justify the investment and avoid the bust conversation.
Myles Murphy enters the 2026 season as a depth piece on the Cincinnati Bengals defensive line with modest career production through three seasons. The defensive end has accumulated just 8.5 career sacks and zero forced fumbles, suggesting he has not yet made a significant impact as either a starter or rotational contributor. His $3.1M annual salary indicates a reserve-level role rather than a cornerstone player, reflecting the team's measured investment in his development. Without recent notable headlines or significant coverage, Murphy occupies a neutral space in fan perception—neither a celebrated prospect nor a concerning liability. His trajectory remains dependent on whether he can elevate his pass-rush productivity and carve out a more prominent role in Cincinnati's defensive scheme moving forward.
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Recent seasons are weighted more heavily in the overall performance grade.
D-
2025
(50% weight)
F
2024
(30% weight)
F
2023
(20% weight)