Raiders Free Agent Targets: Byron Murphy Jr.

The Las Vegas Raiders are finishing up their time in Indianapolis, Ind., at the NFL Scouting Combine after meeting with prospective NFL Draft selections and determining who could best fit with the team.

Their next step is to focus on who they will add to the team through free agency. General Manager Dave Ziegler knows he needs to upgrade the defense, specifically the secondary.

The Raiders were one of the worst teams in the league at defending the pass last season and have six defensive backs expected to hit the open market. If they want to return to the playoffs, they must upgrade the secondary.

This is where Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. could come in. The Cardinals hired a new head coach and general manager this offseason and could be looking to re-tool the roster, which means Murphy might find a new home.

Let’s look closer at Murphy and see if he would fit in the Silver and Black.

The Cardinals drafted Murphy in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington. He was immediately a starter and played in all 16 games his rookie season, posting 78 tackles, three tackles for losses, ten pass breakups, and an interception.

Throughout his career in Arizona, Murphy has totaled 229 tackles, nine tackles for losses, 34 pass breakups, and five interceptions. He is now expected to hit free agency.

One of the big concerns with Murphy is his most recent injury. He dealt with a back injury and played only nine games this past season, one being the game in which he returned a fumble for a touchdown in an overtime victory against the Raiders.

Outside of this previous season, Murphy has remained mostly healthy and could be looking for a multi-year contract. He has been solid for the Cardinals throughout his career, and that demand would be warranted.

The Raiders have lots of cap space and are expected to be aggressive in adding talent in free agency, so if they want to find a long-term cornerback solution, Byron Murphy Jr. could be an option.

The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. During that time, starting at 12 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m EDT on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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