Pros and cons of Seattle Seahawks picking Texas football’s Byron Murphy II in NFL Draft

Had you told Byron Murphy II a few years ago that he'd one day be drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, he might have envisioned himself as the next Shaun Alexander or Marshawn Lynch.

Instead, Murphy will attempt to become the Seahawks' next great defender.

On Thursday, Murphy was selected by Seattle with the 16th pick of the NFL draft. A defensive tackle, Murphy becomes the 46th first-round pick in the history of the Texas football program. Last year, running back Bijan Robinson was selected with the eighth overall pick.

What Murphy brings to Seattle in 2024 NFL draft

Murphy joked with Texas reporters this past summer that he was a running back until the ninth grade when he ate himself out of the position. So Murphy instead used his six-foot, 297-pound frame to stuff runners this fall.

According to NFL.com, Murphy is the top-rated defensive tackle in this draft class. Only four defenders received a better grade. He was the second defensive player selected in the 2024 NFL draft.

Murphy highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Texas

According to NFL.com, Murphy's strengths include an "Elite combination of strength, balance and flexible power in his lower half" and a "Pass rush driven by relentless energy and exemplary edge-to-edge quickness." There are concerns about his size.

Murphy was compared to Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver by NFL.com.

Murphy created plenty of defensive highlights this past season, but Texas also used him occasionally as an offensive option in short-yardage situations. He caught a one-yard touchdown pass against Wyoming on Sept. 16 and rushed for a score in the Sugar Bowl against Washington.

Murphy stats with Texas

After starting just twice over his first two years at Texas, Murphy enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023. He teamed with T'Vondre Sweat to anchor the No. 3 run defense in the country. Teams averaged just 82.4 yards per game against Texas, which was the Longhorns' best showing since 2009.

Murphy totaled 29 tackles and five sacks. He was named the Big 12 defensive lineman of the year.

How many Longhorns have been drafted by Seattle?

Murphy is the sixth Texas Longhorn to be drafted by Seattle. He joins linebacker Bruce Scholtz (1982), center Adam Schreiber (1984), defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs (2004), safety Earl Thomas (2010) and punter Michael Dickson (2018).

Texas reacts to Murphy being drafted by Seattle

In a statement released by Texas on Thursday night, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said that "Seattle got a great one and a guy that can be an anchor on their defensive line for a long time in Byron Murphy. The biggest thing about Murph is the work ethic. He wasn’t the most highly recruited player coming out of high school, but he worked extremely hard, earned everyone’s respect and developed into a big-time NFL first-round pick. He really had a pitbull mentality every day in practice and is a guy who graduated from UT in just three years and has a great football IQ. He is such an awesome person, incredible teammate and was a great team leader for us. The work ethic, drive, determination, and the coachability really stand out with Murph. He’s a disruptive, penetrating type player, so whatever front you’re looking at, he can be a great player for you. With us he played a lot over the center and was very effective at that, but he also got on the edge and was able to get up field, too. The amount of times he put pressure on a quarterback and an offense was immense, he’s a very disruptive, attacking type of player who’s at his best when you cut him loose and let him go.

"Murph is a really explosive, powerful guy. He’s a disruptive defensive lineman who can consistently make plays on the opposite side of the line scrimmage. His effort and work ethic are unmatched, and that’s how he plays every single snap. He doesn’t take any plays off and has the ability to get to the quarterback. To think he was the second defensive player, and first defensive tackle, taken in this year’s draft speaks volumes about what the Seahawks and everyone in the NFL sees in him, and they definitely won’t be disappointed. Murph is a great one and I can’t wait to watch him in the NFL."