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Defense wins championships, and the New England Patriots take this tired cliche seriously. They have one of the best defenses in the NFL and are always looking for outstanding talent to add to their team. This is why fans see Kenneth Murray being a great fit for the Pats come the 2020 Draft.
He's one of the more exciting defenders entering the draft with the right physical tools to help him thrive in the pros. He stands at 6'2″ and weighs around 234 lbs. While he's not the most physically imposing defender in the upcoming rookie class, his slight frame and speed make him an invaluable addition to any team in the NFL.
Moreover, he's shown in Oklahoma that he is one of the best defenders in college. He's notched a total of 51 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, three sacks, and three pass deflections. These numbers show that he can develop into a dangerous pass rusher if Bill Belichick manages to draft him and groom him.
Murray has displayed a knack for finding the right spots in the offensive line to attack. Once he finds an opening, he quickly bursts into the gap before the defense could even close it shut. His speed also manages to terrorize opposing quarterbacks and hinder them from becoming fully effective in the pocket.
The Oklahoma Sooner's tackling technique is also something the Patriots coaching staff would love to have on their team. His main weapon to get to opposing quarterbacks and playmakers is his speed. He catches opponents off-guard with it, allowing him to get the superb numbers he's gotten this season. He also loves attacking from the perimeter, making a perfect outside linebacker option.
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He relies on his vision and instinct to figure out what the opponent is running. He then uses his speed to make up for lost space and complete the tackle. While Murray's tackles aren't ones that will knock your front teeth out, they are sturdy enough that playmakers who get trapped in it cannot easily shed it.
However, the Oklahoma junior's excess reliance on his instinct will be one that the Patriots defense will have to address. If the playmakers are quick enough, he wouldn't be able to react on time. There have also been plenty of instances where he allowed the opposing offensive lineman to get all up into him.
Fortunately, he doesn't have the attitude that will make him a problem in the locker room. Murray is a consummate competitor with the drive to always prove himself. He demands nothing but the best from his Oklahoma teammates, and they have responded to him in kind. It's this kind of energy that will make an already-strong Patriots defense even stronger.
Sure, there are still things to work on when it comes to Kenneth Murray's game. However, his physical tools and playing style make him an intriguing fit with the system Belichick is running in New England. The question now is whether they actually get to pick him or not.
