CINCINNATI (AP) 鈥� The Cincinnati Bengals hope they found two defensive cornerstones in the 2023 NFL draft.
Fourth-year defensive end Myles Murphy projects as Trey Hendrickson鈥檚 replacement on the edge, and DJ Turner the cornerback who will match up against most No. 1 wide receivers that the Bengals face this season.
The Bengals鈥� fourth-year players still haven鈥檛 appeared in the postseason but believe this year can be different.
鈥淚 love the competition,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淭he best teams will have multiple fights in camp. The best teams fight each other. The best teams love each other. The best teams bond outside of the facility. That鈥檚 what I鈥檓 seeing. It鈥檚 a different vibe this year.鈥�
Hendrickson was one of the most productive sack producers in the NFL from 2021-25, but sustained a season-ending injury early last season. That gave other pass rushers a chance and Murphy, a first-round pick in 2023, really shined.
鈥淚鈥檓 in the infancy of my career,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淚 just now am starting to hit my stride. I鈥檓 on the field and getting more experienced every game. I鈥檓 really still in the early stages of my career.鈥�
Murphy had nine total pressures, 1.5 sacks and 15 tackles through Week 8 last season. From Week 9 through the season, he recorded 32 pressures, four sacks and 37 tackles.
鈥淢yles is really easy guy to pull for,鈥� coach Zac Taylor said. 鈥淚 think he鈥檚 a guy that鈥檚 really taken advantage of the opportunities he鈥檚 been given and he鈥檚 really starting to 鈥� I don鈥檛 like the term 鈥榝igured it out鈥� 鈥� but I think he鈥檚 got a lot of confidence right now. He鈥檚 just got to continue to build on that.鈥�
Turner opened the 2025 season as a backup cornerback. But the second-round pick in 2023 followed star receivers in coverage for most of the second half of the season and showed his upside as a No. 1 cornerback.
This year, for the first time, Turner says he鈥檚 following Ja鈥橫arr Chase around the formation and guarding him 1-on-1 on just about every play in practice.
鈥淲hy wouldn鈥檛 I go against the best receiver?鈥� Turner said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 as simple as that. He makes me way better. I鈥檓 going to make sure I make him way better. I evolve every year and keep getting better. He works. I work. We鈥檝e got the best quarterback. It can鈥檛 get better than this. That鈥檚 how I look at it, and it pays off.鈥�
In the preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, Turner had lockdown coverage of wide receiver Isaac Teslaa on a pass that bounced off Teslaa and then was intercepted by Bengals safety Jordan Battle.
鈥�(Turner) is one of the best players at his position in this league,鈥� quarterback Joe Burrow said. 鈥淩eally from from day one. Ja鈥橫arr and I felt that way when he first got here. He has just continued to improve and evolve in his role, and it鈥檚 been fun to see.鈥�
Turner is just 25 years old and Murphy is 24. Both look forward to see what their individual growth can mean to the Bengals鈥� team success.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e playing your best, it鈥檚 going to be more fun,鈥� Turner said. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e winning, it鈥檚 going to be more fun. We鈥檙e playing together and everyone is working as one. It鈥檚 all gelling. We鈥檙e all playing as one. We鈥檝e got to get better every day. Don鈥檛 get comfortable. We haven鈥檛 done anything yet. Confidence is earned.鈥�
___
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
