The New England Patriots under head coach Mike Vrabel are all about culture, and their success in 2025 proved them right. One of the key elements of that culture is effort, and there are multiple players in this year’s draft that fit the bill in that regard.
Among them is linebacker Red Murdock out of Buffalo, one of the most physical prospects his position has to offer this year — and a player who very much reminds us of a current Patriots team captain.
Hard facts
Name: Red Murdock
Position: Off-ball linebacker
School: Buffalo (Graduate)
Opening day age: 22 (9/24/2003)
Measurements: 6’1 3/4”, 232 lbs, 31” arm length, 10 3/8” hand size, 4.75s 40-yard dash, 31 1/2” vertical jump, 9’6” broad jump, 22 bench press reps, 6.81 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
Colleges: Buffalo (2022-25)
Career statistics: 42 games (31 starts) | 2,196 defensive snaps, 339 special teams snaps | 364 tackles, 49 missed tackles (11.9%), 39.5 TFLs, 17 FFs, 2 FRs | 41 QB pressures (9.0 sacks, 6 hits, 26 hurries) | 92 targets, 75 catches surrendered (81.5%), 768 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT (incl. 1 TD), 4 PBUs | 2 special teams tackles, 3 missed special teams tackles (60.0%) | 4 penalties (incl. 1 declined/offsetting)
Accolades: First-team All-MAC (2024, 2025), Second-team All-American (2025), Academic All-MAC (2023, 2024, 2025)
Originally a teammate of Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson at Hopewell, VA, Murdock spent a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy in hopes of bettering his chances of earning a football scholarship. The plan worked, with the three-star recruit joining Buffalo in 2022.
Over the next four years, including a freshman redshirt campaign, he saw action in 42 games and became a highly productive player at the Bulls’ second level. Besides being named first-team All-MAC as both a sophomore and junior in 2024 and 2025, respectively, he also set a new NCAA record for career forced fumbles: in just three full seasons totaling 37 games, he forced 17 of them. In addition, he is tied with three others — including current Patriot Harold Landry — as the all-time single-season leader in forced fumbles (7; 2024).
Draft profile
Projected round: 6-7 | Consensus big board: No. 215 | Patriots meeting: N/A
Strengths: Murdock offers decent size, and even though he is neither the biggest nor the fastest off-the-ball linebacker still manages to make his presence felt whenever he is involved in a play. One of the hardest hitters in the draft, he brings a downhill mentality to the table and is capable of finishing tackles and attacking the football. His career fumble production speaks for itself, and is a reflection of not just his ability to punch at the ball but also his effort coming down or pursuing a play.
Murdock also has shown that he can take on blockers 1-on-1, and has the appropriate acceleration to be successful as a blitzer from the second level or the edge. In coverage, he showcases the same effort he plays with as a run defender and has experience occupying zones and readjusting his position if need be.
Weaknesses: Murdock needs to play with a high motor and relentless effort because he is not a particularly gifted player athletically. He lacks speed and is not the most fluid mover in open space, which in turn limits his range and makes him a potential liability in coverage. He can easily get shaken when asked to cover 1-on-1, and as a consequence might be more of a two-down and special teams player at the next level to prevent him from getting exposed. Additionally, he has been inconsistent reacting to misdirection which is a dangerous combination given his lack of recovery speed.
Patriots preview
What would be his role? Entering the next level, Murdock profiles as an off-the-ball linebacker who also has the potential to become a four-unit special teamer. His moderate coverage skills will likely limit him to a specialized two-down and short-yardage role early in his career, but he his hard tackling and knack for attacking the football still make him a potential impact player when put in positions to succeed.
Does he have positional versatility? Not particularly. While he could play in the kicking game, as mentioned above, his defensive contributions project to be limited to early-down work at this point in his development.
What is his growth potential? Murdock’s future in the NFL will be determined by multiple factors, but particularly his ability to improve his pass coverage. His ceiling will always be limited in that regard simply due to his athletic profile, but improved awareness and a proper training plan could also go a long way toward him at least becoming serviceable in that area. If he can, he could follow a career trajectory similar to that of current Patriots captain Robert Spillane.
Why the Patriots? Robert Spillane has proven himself a highly valuable player for the Patriots, but he is turning 31 this upcoming season and on the back nine of his career. Adding Murdock to the mix would give the team an understudy that offers a similar skillset despite his initial impact possibly being limited. That said, he is capable of coming in and competing for a spot role similar to those held by now-former Patriots Jack Gibbens and Jahlani Tavai.
Why not the Patriots? With Spillane and Christian Elliss as the only proven options in the system at the moment, the Patriots are in need of more help at the position. Drafting Murdock on Day 3 would add another body to the mix, but not one that might be able to step into the vacant LB3 role right away. They might prefer to go with higher-profile options, which in turn would limit the odds off him being brought in as well.
One-sentence verdict: Murdock may not be anything special from an athletic testing perspective but his intensity and high motor should help him find a role on a team.
For more information about Red Murdock and the rest of this year’s class of prospects, please take a look at Adam’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide.
Also, what do you think about Murdock as a potential Patriots target? Do you like him? Where would you pick him? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.
