Rookie LB Red Murdock is anything but Irrelevant and gives the Broncos a tackling and fumble forcing machine

With the final pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, or more commonly known as Mr. Irrelevant, the Denver Broncos selected linebacker Red Murdock.

Murdock is a 6-1, 232-pound linebacker who is known for his big hits and causing turnovers. In three seasons, he forced an impressive 17 forced fumbles and was a tackling machine for Buffalo. He has a nose for the ball, a knack for causing turnovers, and is a physical player who will hit you hard.

The Athletic’s draft analyst, Dane Brugler, had a 4th-5th round grade on Murdock and had him ranked as his 12th-best linebacker in this class. He calls Murdock a magnet to the football and plays with a physicality that will get the job done in the NFL.

No need to know his number when watching film — Murdock is the guy always around the ball. He is still developing his instincts but drives on the football with a determined, attacking mindset to get through traffic. He does a nice job finding his balance as a one-on-one tackler without stopping his feet, which allows him to explode into ball carriers. Murdock is inconsistent as a space player, but he is a magnet to the football and plays with a physicality that will get the job done in the NFL. There is a place in the league for his competitive toughness and playmaking ability.

Murdock was one of the last prospect profiles I did before the draft, and I came out of that liking a lot more than I did coming in. He isn’t great in space or in coverage, that’s not his game, but he’s a physical downhill linebacker who can make some noise in the run game.

His limitations as a player likely limit him in the NFL. He’s not someone you want in space consistently, but there is a role for him. He has the makings of an early-down run defender who comes off the field on third/passing downs. However, where he will likely make the most noise, especially early in his career, will be on special teams.

Murdock will be able to use his nose for the small and ability to cause turnovers on special teams. He was a team leader and captain at Buffalo and just feels like a future special teams ace/captain. He has the mindset to thrive there and the ability to make some big hits and cause a few turnovers. I also wouldn’t rule out an early down/goal line package role for him at some point, either.

I believe Murdock has a pretty good shot at making the Broncos’ 53-man roster. The depth behind starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad is not great, and he feels like a player who will be a standout second or third teamer come the preseason. He will be fighting for a roster spot with Jordan Turner and Karene Reid, who both were on the 53-man roster last season as UDFA’s, and Taurean York, who signed as a UDFA this year. So, there will be tough competition amongst several players fighting for a roster spot, and this could be one of the more interesting roster battles to watch this offseason

Red Murdock | Linebacker | Denver Broncos

Red Murdock’s 2026 outlook with the Denver Broncos

Special teams, special teams, special teams.

Murdock is a forced fumble monster, and I believe he will be utilized on special teams on their kick and punt coverage units. He’s a big hitter known for forcing fumbles, and if he can do that in the return game, that could be a game-changing and potentially game-winning play. So, that will be his main role on the Broncos this season, and I would go as far as to say that he has a really good shot at making the team due to this role.

After Day 3 of the draft, Denver Broncos General Manager George Paton was asked about their trio of 7th-round picks, and when talking about Murdock, he told reporters that he believes Murdock could be a good special teamer.

Then [LB Red] Murdock, just man, he’s a tackling machine. Just really instinctive. Really good against the run. He may hold the record—you guys may know—for forced fumbles. Everyone talked about the Texas Tech guy [Dolphins LB Jacob Rodriguez], and he was amazing, but this guy—oh my gosh, if you look at his career and all the forced fumbles he had. Just a nose for the ball, relentless motor. Think he could be a good special teamer. Great make up, all of these guys I think have great make up.”

If he can prove himself on special teams, he’s locked into a roster spot in my opinion. Now, how he translates at linebacker will determine his ceiling in the NFL.

Murdock is a classic downhill two-down run thumper. A few years ago, these types of linebackers were fairly non-existent in the NFL, with offenses spreading things out, throwing more, and coverage and athleticism were needed from these players. However, with the game going more towards heavy packages and running the ball, a big thumper like Murdock will have a place on defense. Still, his lack of overall speed could hinder him, but the traits are there for him to be an early down thumper for the Broncos.

As Paton stated in the quote above, he’s a tackling machine with great instincts. If he can prove he has the quickness to survive in the NFL and continue to be an instinctive tackling machine, the Broncos could have a real steal here in Murdock.

I liked Murdock heading into the draft and thought he would be an earlier selection on Day 3, but he fell to the Broncos and was the final pick in the draft. His production and play-making ability as a linebacker are hard to deny, and those traits could make him a lock for a roster spot simply due to his special teams play.

Those final spots on the roster are filled by special teamers, and I can see Sean Payton and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi loving Murdock. He’s physical, a team player, and if he can continue to force fumbles in the return game, he could be a legitimate standout player for them in the return game.

As for his linebacker play, I am intrigued to see how he fares. He does not have the athleticism to survive in coverage or in space consistently, but if he can be a productive two-down run defender, he could have a spot on defense as well.

The Broncos’ linebacker reserve roles are wide open due to their unproven depth at the position, and I believe Murdock (and UDFA LB Taurean York) will make strong cases to make the 53-man roster coming out of training camp.