Frustrating pro day shouldn't alter Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock's stock a month from NFL Draft
AMHERST — Red Murdock slipped off his T-shirt and shorts, exposing his tattoo-covered washboard stomach. He crouched into a sprinter’s stance, adjusting until he felt just right.
Murdock exploded out of his stance to the beeping tune of synchronized stopwatches and raced 40 yards downfield. Fifteen minutes later, he repeated the exercise.
Moments later, Murdock attempted to perform the short, racing 5 yards to his left, 10 yards to his right and back. But he just didn’t feel right. And then his day was done.
Murdock planned to also do the three-cone drill, but a nagging ankle injury halted his day early. The University at Buffalo 233-pound linebacker ran an unofficial 4.7-second 40 at the school’s pro day, but that was the only time he put on the board Tuesday in front of representatives from 20 NFL teams and a pair of CFL teams.
“Adversity is inevitable,” Murdock said. “I like to say persistence is omnipotent. So just being able to keep going regardless of what’s going on, try to stay as thorough as possible and put one foot in front of the other no matter what the circumstances are.”
During Buffalo ’s season, Murdock chipped a bone in his right ankle. It didn’t require surgery, but it kept him from working out at the NFL scouting combine and ended his pro day earlier than anticipated.
Murdock could try again at the Buffalo Bills ’ local pro day in a couple weeks, but only the Bills will have scouts in attendance. Other teams could also set up a private workout with Murdock before the NFL Draft starts April 23. But his performance — or lack thereof — isn’t expected to hurt his draft stock.
“He’s a good player,” an AFC scout said. “He’ll be fine.”
That’s the same message Murdock received from former teammate Shaun Dolac , who was watching while taking a break from offseason training with the Los Angeles Rams for Easter. Dolac went through his own pre-draft experience last year and believes not much could have happened Tuesday that would have pushed Murdock’s stock in either direction.
Dolac had a superb pro day last year, especially after not being invited to any postseason all-star games or the combine. But the Rams, who signed him as an undrafted free agent, didn’t send a scout to his pro day.
“At the end of the day, this probably doesn’t mean anything,” Dolac said. “What he’s put on film, that speaks to who he is as a football player. What he’s put on film is all that matters and he’s performed well today.”
Murdock has the physical attributes to be drafted, which is why double the NFL scouts from last year attended. But Dolac believes Murdock’s best skill, and the one that will translate most to the NFL, is his ability to see the game as it unfolds.
“He’s so smart,” Dolac said. “He understands that if you take the time to put in the work and if you take the time to study the game, then you’re going to get good things to happen to you. And the thing that he has is that punch, and if he takes that with him to the NFL, he’s going to be a good football player for a long time.”
The benefit Murdock has is that teams were aware of his injury ahead of the pro day. They knew at the combine and it hasn’t stopped interest from increasing over the last month, leading to over 20 video meetings with teams.
In four seasons with Buffalo, Murdock tallied 364 tackles — 39 ½ for a loss — nine sacks and an FBS-record 17 forced fumbles, a record previously held by former Bull Khalil Mack. And those forced fumbles have been a topic of conversation during pre-draft interviews.
“That’s been a topic for just about every coach now,” Murdock said of his forced fumbles. “I think I suck at it right now. I need to get a lot better, but I’m very confident.”
Murdock has been projected to fall anywhere from the fifth to seventh rounds in the draft. His speed and ability to drop into coverage in the NFL has been questioned — although another AFC scout said game speed is how players are judged and the simply 40 reaffirms it — but he is a physical, downhill thumper against the run, a skill once again on the rise with an uptick in rushing attempts.
“There’s been no speculation whatsoever,” Murdock said. “I’m not putting expectations up there. I’m blessed to be able to get an opportunity. I know that if I get my foot in the door, I’ll be able to showcase what I got. … I expected to get my name called. Wherever that is is up to God.”
