The Seattle Seahawks have a history of not using high draft picks on interior defensive linemen in recent decades. They haven’t chosen a defensive tackle in the first round since Marcus Tubbs in 2004, and their only second-round picks at the position during that period were Jarran Reed and Malik McDowell.
Following another disappointing performance by the Seahawks’ defensive line, there’s a possibility that they may depart from this trend and prioritize investing in the trenches early in this year’s NFL Draft.
Pro Football Focus has outlined their suggested player selections for each team based on their needs and available draft resources. While the focus for the Seahawks is on both sides of the interior line, the suggested “ideal” pick leans toward bolstering the defense.
Preferred initial selection: Byron Murphy II, a defensive tackle from Texas.
The Seahawks currently lack the physicality in the trenches required to compete with the NFL’s top teams. Without consistent pass protection on offense and struggles in run defense, they find themselves at a disadvantage.
Byron Murphy II from Texas appears to be an excellent match for Seattle. Regarded as the top all-around defensive tackle in the 2024 class, Murphy led the nation in pass-rush grade in 2023. With new head coach Mike Macdonald aiming to instill a similar physical style to the defense as seen in Baltimore, Murphy’s skill set aligns well with this vision.
Additionally, there’s a pressing need for help on the interior offensive line. The Seahawks finished the 2023 season in the bottom five in pass-blocking grade. Therefore, they should be scouting for interior prospects in the second to fifth rounds to bolster their pass protection.
Murphy has already had a meeting with the Seahawks during the NFL Combine.
Here’s a breakdown of his Relative Athletic Score (RAS) for his position.
Byron Murphy II is a defensive tackle prospect in the 2024 draft class. He achieved an unofficial RAS score of 9.03 out of a possible 10.00. This placed him at 158 out of 1620 defensive tackles from the years 1987 to 2024.
Here are his measurements from the NFL Combine:
Height: 6 feet 0.5 inches
Weight: 297 pounds
Arm length: 32.38 inches
Hand size: 10.25 inches
Wingspan: 77.12 inches
In contrast to his former Longhorns teammate T’Vondre Sweat, who weighs 366 lbs, Murphy is seen as relatively small at 6 feet 0.5 inches and 297 pounds. However, this didn’t hinder his accomplishments, as he earned the title of Big XII Defensive Lineman of the Year and received first-team honors in his conference for the 2023 season.
Here’s a summary of Murphy as a prospect according to Mike Poland’s scouting report on Blogging the Boys:
There’s a strong possibility that Byron Murphy will be the first defensive lineman selected in this year’s draft. He possesses the skills and adaptability to excel anywhere on the defensive line, from nose tackle to the five-technique position, in the NFL. With his remarkable explosiveness and strength, he is poised to make an immediate impact in his rookie season.
However, Murphy will benefit from coaching to understand that relying solely on his power and speed will have limitations in the NFL. While he possesses a solid repertoire of pass rush techniques, his swim move stands out as his most effective tool at present. Learning to discern when to hold his position and when to exploit gaps will be crucial for his development. His primary challenge will revolve around defensive schemes: due to his size and playing style, Murphy is best suited for an even front defense where he can engage in one-on-one battles with offensive linemen. Playing as a defensive tackle in an odd front could diminish his effectiveness, as he may struggle against double-team blocks.
Nonetheless, Murphy’s ability to read plays, formulate strategies, and overpower opponents with his explosiveness and hand techniques make him an enticing prospect for defensive coordinators. He is poised to have a productive NFL career and could earn Pro Bowl recognition early in his tenure.
