Missouri Tigers RB Marcus Murphy Taken by New Orleans Saints in Seventh Round of 2015 NFL Draft
As the 2015 NFL Draft winded down, the New Orleans Saints brought some more happiness to the Missouri Tigers fan base, selecting running back Marcus Murphy with the 13th pick of the seventh round, 230th overall.
The 5-foot-8, 188-pound Murphy was quite productive in his first year as a starter in 2014, running for 924 yards and four touchdowns on 177 attempts, while catching 28 passes for 212 yards and another touchdown. While Murphy was very good from scrimmage, his greatest value came on special teams, where Murphy returned 17 kicks for 504 yards and two touchdowns and 27 punts for 281 yards and a touchdown. That production earned him the all-purpose position on the 2014 All-SEC team.
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He was a late invitee to the Senior Bowl and also attended the NFL combine, where he ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash. Murphy’s primary role figures to be as a returner on a Saints team that already has five running backs, including Mark Ingram, C.J. Spiller, Khiri Robinson, Tim Hightower, and Edwin Baker. Their primary kick returner in 2014, however, was Trevaris Cadet, who is now with the New England Patriots, so Murphy has the opportunity to fill a vacant slot there.
Murphy was the sixth Mizzou player selected this weekend, following defensive ends Shane Ray and Markus Golden, offensive lineman Mitch Morse, and wide receivers Dorial Green-Beckham and Bud Sasser. The group matches the greatest number of Mizzou players taken in a single draft since 2009. The 2009 and 2015 drafts are now tied for the most players taken in one draft since current head coach Gary Pinkel took over in 2001.