After a slow start, Byron Murphy Jr. leaves. in contract year for Vikings

Four games into the season, Byron Murphy Jr. led the way. all NFL cornerbacks in yards allowed and missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus. He also dropped several would-be interceptions. Despite forcing a few late turnovers in the win over the Packers, it was an especially rough first month for the 26-year-old in the second season of a two-year deal with the Vikings.

Five games later, Murphy has put that behind him and is thriving for Minnesota – reviving his value in a contract year in the process. After picking off Mac Jones late in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars, he had an interception in three straight games, tying his career high with four on the season. He is also tied with Baltimore’s Marlon Humphrey for the interception lead among cornerbacks this season.

Murphy was the Vikings’ highest-rated player in Jacksonville, posting a grade of 89.1, which is the highest single-game grade of his six-year career. He was tenacious in coverage throughout the match and was targeted only twice, one of which resulted in his final pick.

The statistical differences between Murphy’s first four games and the last five are stark. (For the record, PFF coverage stats aren’t perfect).

* First 4 games: 37 targets, 28 receptions, 352 yards, 2 TDs allowed; 9 missed tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU
*Last 5 games: 25 targets, 17 receptions, 139 yards, 0 TD allowed; 2 missed tackles, 3 INT, 2 PBU

The last time Murphy surrendered even 30 yards in coverage was in the Jets game in Week 5. For the season, he has an overall PFF grade of 71.4, which ranks 14th out of 64 corners who have at least Have played 400 snaps (teammate Stephon Gilmore is 43rd with a grade of 60.7). Murphy has been the Vikings’ best cornerback, and if he keeps it up, he’ll be paid pretty well in the spring — assuming Minnesota doesn’t sign him to a midseason extension like they did with the 49ers just done with Deommodore Lenoir.

The Vikings are not only big fans of Murphy’s playmaking ability, but also his versatility to play both outside corner and in the slot. He has spent about 65 percent of his snaps playing wide opposite Gilmore this season, but he comes into the closing stages when Shaq Griffin takes the field in groups of three CB personnel.

“Especially with Steph and Shaq here, Murph really gets into that place where I think he’s so incredibly impactful,” Kevin O’Connell said. “We’ve got some good players coming into this league right now, whether they’re safeties who drop down there as a fifth DB or real nickels like Murph, where he’s got the corner skills, he’s a willing and a capable tackler, great instincts, great ball skills, and when he and Steph are out there, those guys are playing really well at the moment.”

The Vikings defense, which leads the league in DVOA and opponent EPA per game by wide margins, was back to its dominant ways against the Jaguars. Some of that can be traced to the return of linebacker Blake Cashman. But Murphy also deserves a lot of credit for the way he’s been playing lately. The Vikings need him to keep it going.