Seahawks Land 1st-Round ‘Steal of the Draft’ With Speedy 300-Pound DT

The Seattle Seahawks filled a big need in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After the longest run of offensive players in draft history, Seahawks general manager John Schneider appears to have a home run with defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.

Seattle landed Murphy, universally considered the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the NFL draft, at No. 16. Big 10 Network’s Jake Butt posted, “Right now Byron Murphy is the steal of the draft.” The praise kept coming for the 6-foot-1, 297-pounder, who ran the 40 in 4.87 seconds.

Senior Bowl executive Jim Nagy posted, “Congrats, Seahawks fans. You just drafted Grady Jarrett. Byron Murphy is a bad dude.”

Former quarterback turned analyst Robert Griffin III gave Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald big props. “Byron Murphy II is the Fogo De Chao of Buffet eateries,” RGII posted. “Whatever you want, HE GOT IT. He can play all 3 downs, rush the passer, anchor or be disruptive in the run game, rush for TDS and catch them to. Seattle already investing in the trenches. LOVE IT MIKE.”

Last season, his only as a full-time starter, Murphy registered 29 total tackles and 5.0 sacks in 14 games. Murphy also became the fourth defensive lineman in Texas history to score an offensive touchdown. In 2023, he tallied a touchdown reception and a rushing score.

The Athletic’s Nate Brugler wrote of Murphy in “The Beast” draft preview, “Although his stats don’t jump off the page, his production improved each season, and he finished 2023 with a team-best 45 pressures and ranked No. 1 among all FBS interior defensive linemen in pass rush win percentage (19.6%).”

“Overall, Murphy doesn’t have ideal length, but his rare combination of lower-body twitch, natural leverage and power throughout his frame sets him apa