With Pro Bowlers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan ensconced at his position, Stanford’s Trent Murphy appeared to have the luxury of time to adapt to the NFL when the Redskins picked him in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. But he was thrust into the starting lineup in Week 8, after Orakpo suffered a season-ending pectoral tear in Week 7.
Murphy acquitted himself well, starting the remaining nine games and finishing his rookie campaign with 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
But NFL depth charts are fluid beasts. Roster spots and starting jobs are earned weekly.