The Buffalo Bills are in need of a solid backup to LeSean McCoy, and Marcus Murphy could be the standout player this season we’ve been looking for.
During the offseason, the Buffalo Bills running back room saw new faces and new opportunity. The departure of backup Mike Tolbert left an open space for a new guy to fall in. The halfbacks behind LeSean McCoy last season were Tolbert, Travaris Cadet, and fullback Patrick DiMarco. Other additions saw some time, but these were the main three.
One name in particular we saw briefly last season and who has made a name for himself already this year is Marcus Murphy. After playing one game last season and totaling 41 yards, the 27-year-old has been on the eyes of coaches and fans. During last Thursday’s first preseason game, Murphy tallied 35 yards on seven attempts and scored a touchdown.
Out of all the players in the group, he is the youngest. But he hasn’t seen much action. Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2015 draft, he was mainly used on special teams. He returned in 2016 appearing in only three games before being waived in 2017. In all he had over 300 return yards.
After bouncing from practice squad to practice squad, he was signed by the Bills and placed on the practice squad. In November, he was promoted to the 53-man roster and appeared in his first game against the Miami Dolphins.
Since the preseason game against the Panthers, lots of positive comments for Murphy have hit social media. For example:
There has to be a place on this roster for Marcus Murphy. I get that Cadet and Jones are on special teams. Guess what? If McCoy were to get hurt, right now, I'd want Murphy to take his place. And then Ivory can be his backup.
— Sal Maiorana (@salmaiorana) August 10, 2018
Marcus Murphy's best asset on display on this drive, elusiveness. Got separation on route out of backfield, slipped out of tackle on couple of runs, cut away from other would be tackler. #Bills
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) August 10, 2018
At 5-foot-9 and 193 pounds, his size doesn’t stop him from getting around defenders and breaking tackles. I believe Murphy could be a strong standout candidate this season because the Bills really have no one like him besides LeSean McCoy. Veteran Chris Ivory has moves and is a upgrade from Tolbert, but Murphy has a good shot to move up this depth chart.
It has only been the first preseason game and with more to come, we get to see more action on the field for Marcus Murphy to shine.