Bengals News (4/28): Feeling the rush

Inside The Pick: Bengals Get Edgy With Clemson's Gifted Myles Murphy
Yet the Bengals were unshakeable in their belief that Murphy was their guy as the first round slipped away and the phone rang with offers of a trade back. Not far back, but far enough. They weren't going to risk losing Murphy and his productive career on the Clemson edge, they decided, so they stayed at No. 28 during a week the AFC stepped up its arms race stockpiling elite quarterbacks.

Watch: New Cincinnati Bengals Defensive End Myles Murphy's Opening Message to Bengals Fans
"Cincinnati, We getting to the quarterback, we getting to the Super Bowl, we getting to the AFC championship," Murphy said. "Hey, Who Dey!"

2023 NFL Draft: Biggest Round 1 Steals and Snubs Include Dalton Kincaid, Will Levis, and Christian Gonzalez
The biggest faller in terms of their value on the PFN Big Board was Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy. Despite being ranked No. 9 after showing tremendous athleticism, valuable versatility, and gaining experience on a talented unit throughout his career, Murphy went far lower than we expected. He was the only top-10 player on our board to still be available in the 20s.

2023 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals select Clemson DE Myles Murphy
Murphy, a former Clemson standout, has excellent size and physical traits. The addition of Murphy gives the Bengals another top-tier edge rusher to pair with Sam Hubbard, Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai.

Tee Higgins at Bengals voluntary workouts this week
Higgins is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and many players in that position skip voluntary work, but Higgins has taken a different course this week. The Bengals posted shots of Higgins taking part in workouts to social media on Wednesday.

Myles Murphy: 5 things about Cincinnati's first-round draft pick
The Cincinnati Bengals had many options when the 28th pick of the first round in the 2023 NFL draft arrived Thursday night, and they couldn't pass up an opportunity to add an elite edge rusher in Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy.

Should the Bengals have taken Michael Mayer over Myles Murphy?
Fans were a little more split, mostly thanks to the never-ended access to draft content. The fact that Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer was still on the board seemed to be the biggest point of polarization.

Cincinnati Bengals pick Clemson's Myles Murphy in 2023 NFL Draft
Generally considered the third- or fourth-best edge rusher in the draft, Murphy – a former five-star recruit – was the only player in the country to produce at least 10 tackles for loss and have at least one forced fumble in each season from 2020 to 2022.

2023 NFL Draft grades: Bengals pick Myles Murphy at No. 28; what Cincinnati is getting in Clemson pass rusher
The Cincinnati Bengals are beefing up their pass rush, as they selected former Clemson pass rusher Myles Murphy with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. With a defensive end room headlined by the likes of Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, Murphy has a couple of veterans to teach him the ropes as he makes this transition.

Zac Taylor and Lou Anarumo Discuss Cincinnati Bengals' Decision to Take Myles Murphy in First Round
The Bengals selected Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy on Thursday night in the 2023 NFL Draft. Murphy, 21, finished his college career with 139 tackles (37 for loss), 17.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in three seasons at Clemson.

2023 NFL Draft: Day 1 quick-snap grades for all 32 teams
Analysis: Murphy was not a dominant player at Clemson but showed the ability to win the edge at times and has the strength to hold his part of the bargain on run defense. The Bengals could have used a cornerback, but perhaps they did not have any first-round-caliber players at the position left on their board. Tight end Michael Mayer would have also been a worthy selection.

Around the league

Lamar Jackson, Ravens agree to terms on five-year, $260 million contract
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the Ravens and the star quarterback have agreed to terms on a five-year, $260 million contract, per sources informed of the situation.

Best prospects available in the 2023 NFL Draft
The Carolina Panthers opened Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft by selecting Alabama quarterback Bryce Young at No. 1 overall. Below are the best remaining prospects from NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's big board. See all of the top players who have already been picked.

2023 NFL Draft: Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith among Day 1's top value picks
Banks (6-foot, 197 pounds) earned one of the top NGS athleticism scores (98) among prospects to work out at the 2023 NFL combine after posting a 4.35 40-yard dash, 11-foot-4 broad jump and 42-inch vertical. In fact, his score ranks fourth among all cornerback prospects over the last decade. Banks’ fusion of size and speed is even more valuable in an NFC East division that features the likes of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Terry McLaurin and CeeDee Lamb. Banks, who played press on 53 percent of his coverage snaps last season, per PFF, fits well in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s press-heavy scheme.

Jets reinforce pass rush with Will McDonald IV after first-round pick swap in Aaron Rodgers trade
There was a price to be paid for landing such a superstar, though, and about 12 hours after Rodgers' throwing session, it became clear what the price was. As part of their crusade to acquire Rodgers, the Jets agreed to swap first-round picks with the Green Bay Packers -- it was one of the final elements to be agreed upon, general manager Joe Douglas had revealed -- and that two-slot drop to 15th overall cost the Jets a shot at one of the top offensive tackles in the draft. When the Pittsburgh Steelers leapfrogged the Jets and took Broderick Jones with the 14th overall pick, the idea of immediately solidifying the shaky offensive line in front of Rodgers was dashed.