The Seattle Seahawks, led by Mike Macdonald in his first draft as head coach, began their draft with a focus on defense. Despite a run of offensive players in the early picks, the Seahawks managed to secure one of the top interior defensive line prospects.
With the 16th overall pick, Seattle addressed a key need on the defensive front by selecting Byron Murphy II, a standout defensive tackle from Texas.
Seattle’s general manager, John Schneider, admitted that acquiring Murphy wasn’t initially expected, but it’s a move that strengthens their defensive line, an area they needed to improve and add depth to.
Murphy brings versatility and aggressiveness to the Seahawks’ defense, capable of making an impact against both the run and the pass. His impressive performance at Texas, where he earned All-American honors and was named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, demonstrates his ability to dominate on the field.
He adds to the flexibility that Macdonald has on the defensive line. With Reed, Jones, Williams, and now Murphy, they can rotate through different positions, working alongside edge rushers like Nwosu, Mafe, and Taylor.
“Leonard can play anywhere on the line. So can Byron. We have a lot of versatile guys, and that’s why I’m excited. We’ll have some creative ways to move them around,” said Macdonald.
There were concerns about Murphy’s size, since he measured just below 6-foot-1 and 297 pounds. But selecting him should immediately help improve a defense that struggled against the run last season. Seattle ranked 31st in the league, allowing 138.4 rushing yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry.
Murphy’s strength is a big asset, and he’s comparable to Baltimore’s Madubuike, who excelled last season under Macdonald’s coaching, tallying 13 sacks and earning All-Pro honors.
Growing up a Seahawks fan, Murphy was drawn to the team’s defense, which played a key role in their Super Bowl win.
Schneider could have traded down for more picks, especially since they don’t have a second-round selection, but passing up the chance to get the top-rated defensive player on their board was not an option.
