Ranking the Top 15 Running Backs in the 2015 NFL Draft

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T14. Marcus Murphy, 5’8, 193, Missouri

Murphy hasn’t gotten a whole lot of love in the pre-draft process, only making it to the Senior Bowl on gameday as an injury replacement, but he has a highly sought-after skill set that should allow him to be a contributor in the NFL.

For starters, Murphy is arguably the most impactful return man in this draft, having collected 801 yards and four touchdowns as a punt returner during his time at Mizzou, plus 2,036 yards and three TDs as a kick returner. He’s not an every-down back, but he can be a real asset in the passing game and would be a quality role player for a team like the New England Patriots that does a lot of passing out of the backfield.

Murphy is a crafty route runner, he’s a very reliable receiver (to the point that the Tigers briefly explored moving him to wideout before the 2014 season), and he can make things happen outside the hashmarks. He’s not quite the “home run threat” you’d hope for in a back his size, and he needs to refine his pass protection skills a bit for the next level, but Murphy is a player who has a really solid chance to be a quality role player if he lands with the right team.

Next: T14. Mike Davis