Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. didn't have an outstanding first season as a Minnesota Viking in 2023. But as the pieces of an ideal Brian Flores defense were being put together, his versatility was notable and a good fit.
Last season, Murphy earned his first career Pro Bowl nod with career-highs in interceptions (six), pass breakups (14) and total tackles (81). He was rewarded for that breakthrough with a three-year, $54 million deal to come back to Minnesota this offseason, and he is the Vikings' No. 1 cornerback with inside-outside versatility to shadow and match where any opponent's No. 1 receiver might line up.
PFF reveals coverage matchup the Minnesota Vikings' defense must dictate more often
One such top wide receiver Murphy has some of over the last couple seasons is D.J. Moore of the Chicago Bears. Ryan Smith of Pro Football Focus took a look at some one-sided wide receiver/cornerback matchups from the last three seasons, and one that has notably favored the cornerback is Murphy vs. Moore.
"Moore has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL since he entered the league in 2018, averaging more than 1,000 yards per season. He’s been a hard player to stop, but no cornerback has given him more trouble than Byron Murphy Jr. over the past few seasons."
"In Week 4 of the 2022 season, Moore was targeted three times with Murphy in coverage, failing to catch any passes, two of which resulted in interceptions (0.0 passer rating). In the three matchups following that, Murphy allowed just nine receptions, 67 yards and zero touchdowns and recorded another interception."
That Week 4 matchup in 2022 came when Murphy played for the Arizona Cardinals., and Moore played for the Carolina Panthers. They've of course overlapped the last two seasons in the NFC North, but with neither guy missing a Vikings-Bears game over the last two seasons there should be four matchups, right?
Well, PFF data shows Murphy never lined up against Moore in Week 12 last season--not even once. And, not coincidentally, Moore had seven receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown in that game. He also had a big game against the Vikings in Week 12 of the 2023 season (11 catches for 114 yards), of course doing his best work against people covering him not named Murphy.
Flores mixes everything up like no NFL defensive coordinator does. The idea of having a cornerback travel with a certain receiver for an entire game runs counter to that constant variability to keep opposing offenses off-balance, but the case for Murphy to regularly shadow Moore in games against the Bears is right there to see.