Why Trent Murphy Will Be Washington Redskins' Most Improved Starter in 2015

Bashaud Breeland and Robert Griffin III—if both begin the year as starters, anyway—may be the first names that come to mind. But in identifying who the Washington Redskins' most improved starter in 2015 will be, how can you not pick Trent Murphy?

It's true that on the surface, Washington received only middling returns from its top pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

Selected in the second round with the 47th overall pick, Murphy tallied 32 tackles, two forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks in 15 games, eight of which were starts. Upon closer examination, though, Murphy was actually one of the best linebackers, not just rookies, against the run in 2014. 

According to Pro Football Focus, among outside linebackers, he was the sixth-highest-graded player against the run. 

Tasked with filling the void left by the oft-injured Brian Orakpo, the next step for Murphy will be upping his production as a pass-rusher. Next to his sack total, he only produced eight quarterback hurries in 2014, per Sporting Charts.

His production as a rookie, as is the case for most players, was in stark contrast to the numbers he posted during his collegiate career at Stanford. A starter the last 40 games of his career, Murphy tallied 23.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks his senior season. 

So it goes without saying: Murphy has ability. Why else would he draw comparisons to Jared Allen from CBSSports.com's resident draft guru Rob Rang?

To live up to this billing, though, Murphy does have some to work do.

Speaking to CSN Washington's Tarik El-Bashir, head coach Jay Gruden highlighted the areas in which Murphy needs to improve.

"We have to continue to work on his get-off and some of his strength, [and] I think we can develop that," Gruden said.

Mission accomplished.

Reporting to OTAs, Murphy was noticeably bigger. Per El-Bashir, at 267 pounds, Murphy added nearly 10 pounds to his 6'5" frame from last season. And not only has bulking up not cost him in the quickness department, but it's made Murphy even more explosive.

“I feel faster and more explosive,” Murphy said.

“That was my only concern, ‘Oh you gained this muscle mass and you got stronger, but is it going to slow you down?’ That hasn’t happened, so that’s been pretty awesome.”

While Murphy deserves kudos for his offseason commitment in this arena, it'll be all for naught if it doesn't translate to the gridiron. 

According to Gruden, via Liz Clarke of The Washington Post, it has thus far. 

"

When you’re looking at practice and you watch practice film, you look for guys that jump out on the screen at you, guys that are making plays and you feel their presence, and Trent Murphy is one of them.

He’s bigger, he’s stronger, he’s rushing the passer extremely well. He’s getting off the ball very well right now. I think I’m expecting him to make the biggest jump from first year to second year on our football team because not only is he bigger, but he knows the position. He’s athletic. And when you put on some extra bulk and strength, it’s just going to give him more. He’s already a smart football player with great instincts. Now you add the extra bulk and we expect big things from him this year.

"

Aside from Murphy's physical transformation, it's the supporting cast around him that should play into a big sophomore campaign from the Stanford product.

Second-round pick Preston Smith will no doubt eat into Murphy's playing time. But between him, Ryan Kerrigan and a stout defensive front featuring the likes of Jason Hatcher, Terrance Knighton and Stephen Paea, the pressure to replace Orakpo, not to mention the attention of opposing offenses, won't all fall on Murphy.

In addition to headlining the team's rush defense, look for Murphy to chip in between eight and 10 sacks, making Orakpo's absence an afterthought by season's end.