Cardinals CB Byron Murphy Looking at Huge Payday in Free Agency
When the Arizona Cardinals opted to not use the franchise tag at Tuesday's deadline, that meant running the risk of their top two free agents in Zach Allen and Byron Murphy walking in free agency.
The tag prices for Murphy ($18.14 million franchise tag with a transition tag costing $15.791 million) were perhaps thought to be too high in the eye of public perception. Murphy is 25-years-old and likely has his best football in front of him, yet that's a steep bag to hand the versatile corner.
However, that may not match the reality of what other teams think once free agency opens.
NFL Media's Tom Pelissero offered the following on Murphy in his article detailing less-heralded names hitting free agency:
Cardinals CB Byron Murphy Looking at Huge Payday in Free Agency
"Veterans James Bradberry (age 29), Jonathan Jones (29) and Cam Sutton (28) figure to do well on their third multi-year deals. But don't be surprised if Dean paces the CB market, with a contract that could start in the range of $16 million a year. A third-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2019, Dean quietly has emerged as one of the NFL's better young cornerbacks, with seven interceptions and 41 passes defensed in 57 career games (38 starts). Per PFF, Dean allowed a 50 percent completion rate (fourth among CBs with at least 50 targets) and 6.1 yards per target (T-10th) in primary coverage last season, with a forced incompletion rate of 16.2 percent (T-12th)," said Pelissero.
"Murphy potentially could push toward $16 million per year, too, as a do-it-all corner whom the Cardinals used at times to shadow the likes of Davante Adams. By PFF's count, Murphy allowed 9.7 yards per reception in primary coverage last season (ninth among CBs, min. 50 targets) and yielded just seven plays of at least 15 yards (tied for fourth)."
Should Murphy leave, Marco Wilson would bump to Arizona's CB1 role. Antonio Hamilton and Josh Jackson are also scheduled free agents at the position as well.
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