The Seahawks did not host Byron Murphy on a top-30 visit, but the team has nevertheless gone ahead with adding him. Seattle has drafted the Texas defensive tackle 16th overall.
With the litany of offensive picks to open the night, a number of top defensive players were naturally going to slide. Seattle was able to land the top defensive tackle on the board at No. 16 overall. Murphy was a second-team All-American for the Longhorns in 2023. After impressive contributions in a rotation during his freshman and sophomore year, Murphy’s production more than doubled. He comes out of Austin with five career sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
While stout at just over six feet tall, Murphy makes up for a lack of ideal size with impressive leverage and power off the snap. His high motor and determination make him a disruptive menace. He was expected to be able to step in as a starter immediately.
In Seattle, though, Murphy may have to wait for his snaps. The Seahawks are set to return two starters on the defensive line in Jarran Reed and Dre’Mont Jones, and Leonard Williams will join them to create a daunting defensive front. Reed is set to be a free agent after this season, so perhaps Murphy is being brought in to eventually replace the veteran.
Regardless, Murphy provides a strong option to come in and compete for snaps on the defensive line as a rookie and into the future. Murphy becomes the first first-round defensive tackle to come out of Austin since Malcom Brown in 2015.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
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