Tyler Murphy Making Strong Case to Make Pittsburgh Steelers' Final Roster

When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed undrafted former Boston College quarterback Tyler Murphy in the spring, it looked like it would take a lot for him to crack the team's practice squad, let alone its 53-man roster.

Listed as a "slash" player on the roster—as in quarterback-slash-wide-receiver—he was one of two former receiver-quarterback hybrids for the Steelers; the other being former Michigan passer Devin Gardner. At best, it seemed like Murphy would serve as a camp body, throwing and catching passes with the third-string offense.

But Murphy began to stand out right away. While Gardner remained simply a receiver and quarterback in the team's June minicamp, Murphy also saw special teams work, trying to do anything it took to remain on the team. And now that the quarterback ranks have thinned in Pittsburgh, with Tajh Boyd released and Gardner on injured reserve, Murphy's odds of being a reserve passer have risen.

Games	Snaps	Tgts.	Rec.	Rec.%	Yds.	TD
3	100	6	3	50.0%	78	1

Murphy's stock is also very much on the rise as a receiver. Through three preseason games, he's caught three passes on six targets for 78 yards and a score. He has two catches of 20 or more yards and also has been used sparingly on zone-read plays.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is taking notice, saying, via PennLive's Jacob Klinger, that Murphy is "starting to show some wideout traits," adding, "Write that down." That's high praise from a head coach who is normally very reserved—to say the least—about rookies, let alone those of the undrafted sort.

At this point, the only thing that could prevent Murphy from making the Steelers' final roster is the depth chart. The Steelers aren't thin at receiver—currently Murphy is listed as "other," or not-quite-third-string, with Kenzel Doe and firmly behind the likes of Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Martavis Bryant, Darrius Heyward-Bey, C.J. Goodwin and rookie Sammie Coates. Add in the fact that tight end Heath Miller and running back Le'Veon Bell are also key players in Pittsburgh's passing game, and there's not a lot of room for Murphy.

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But Murphy's upside as a reserve quarterback and a special teams contributor could give him value that Doe, Goodwin or even Coates do not have at this point.

Murphy has noted that his experience as a quarterback has helped him develop more quickly as a receiver, saying to Steelers.com that, "It allows me, when I am at quarterback, to understand better what the receivers are going through. When I am at receiver I am able to understand what the quarterbacks are going through. It gives me an edge because I know what they are thinking."

Murphy continued:

"

If I am at receiver I know if they see a coverage, they are going to work this defender and maybe try and occupy the defender and open someone else up. I am able to help guys out when I am at quarterback. I am able to anticipate throws a little better because as a receiver I know I want the ball at this spot. It helps me get a feel for both positions and do better at each position.

"

That's why, if the Steelers can not manipulate their final, 53-man roster in a way that allows Murphy to be part of it, Murphy should be a top practice squad candidate, capable of being called up at any point. Because with his ever-improving role as a triple threat, Murphy simply has too much overall value to be discarded wholesale. 

It's one thing to have versatility and a good work ethic. It's another altogether to be able to put those two together and execute on an NFL field. Murphy is still a raw receiver, to be sure, but the progress he's made makes him worth the Steelers' investment, if only on the practice squad to start the year.

But no matter where the Steelers envision him ending up after the summer's end, Murphy continues to make an ever-strengthening case for it not to be wearing another team's jersey.