Will any of the 2023 Memphis NFL Draft prospects be able to make it 10 straight years with at least one player drafted? With our Memphis scouting reports, we look at the strengths and weaknesses of their top four prospects for the upcoming draft.
Memphis 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Austin Myers, OL
Strengths: Four-year starter experienced at both guard and tackle. Strong blocker, who is effective in a small area. Keeps his feet moving, his head on a swivel, and uses proper body positioning to seal defenders from the action. Jolts opponents with terrific hand punch, works to block with leverage, and battles throughout the action.
Weaknesses: Lacks footwork off the edge. Average ability blocking in motion. Marginal athlete.
Overall: Myers was a durable college lineman who possesses solid size and long arms. He lacks upside, but the ability to play multiple spots along the line of scrimmage is appealing.
Quindell Johnson, S
Strengths: Tough run-defending safety who also displays a knack for finding the ball in coverage. Patient, keeps the action in front of him and quickly diagnoses plays.
Communicates well with his teammates in the secondary and makes sure everyone is in proper position. Effectively times pass defenses, takes proper angles, and plays with excellent awareness. Patrols center field and quickly closes to the play. Remains disciplined with assignments. Fires upfield defending the run and brings opponents down in space.
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Weaknesses: Displays limited quickness. Lacks overall playing balance and great long speed.
Overall: Johnson was consistently productive at Memphis and has enough versatility to be used in zone or even as a true center fielder. Deep speed is the red flag that will likely keep him from being drafted, though I fully expect Johnson to compete to be a third safety on an NFL roster.
Tyler Murray, LB
Strengths: Charlotte transfer who projects as a one-gap defender. Patient, instinctive, and moves well in every direction of the field. Gets depth on pass drops, is fluid flipping his hips in coverage, and easily runs downfield with opponents. Quickly diagnoses the action, takes proper angles, and smoothly moves about the field. Shows ability in coverage.
Weaknesses: Not a stout tackler and has ball handlers running through his arms. Does more hitting than wrap-up tackling. Not stout at the point of attack and gets caught up in the trash.
Overall: Murray is an athletic run-and-chase LB who also displays ability in coverage. He offers possibilities on passing downs, though he must show his worth on special teams.
Zay Cullens, LB
Strengths: Safety-sized linebacker with a solid game. Quick to read and diagnose, instinctive, and scrapes well laterally. Agile, breaks down well, and easily moves about the field, or redirects to the ball handlers. Gets depth on pass drops, uses his hands to protect himself, and flies around the action to make the tackle.
Aggressive but also disciplined. Goes sideline to sideline with good range. Fires up the field to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Quarterbacks the defense and makes the calls for the unit.
Weaknesses: Lacks size and struggles getting off blocks. Lacks great pursuit speed.
Overall: Cullens was a productive four-year starter at Memphis who turned in a career campaign in 2022 with 111 tackles. He’s a tough run defender with solid ball skills and enough ability to be a nickel linebacker/special-teams player.
