Seattle took the consensus best interior defensive lineman in the draft.
The Seattle Seahawks once again remained in place with their top draft pick. No trade downs for a fifth consecutive NFL Draft, but for a third year in a row you could say they took one of the best (if not the best) players available.
At pick No. 16 and with the top six quarterbacks all taken well before Seattle was on the clock, the Seahawks took Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. A dominant interior lineman, Murphy was just the second defensive player off the board in the first round. The Big XII Defensive Lineman of the Year has the distinction of being the first pick of the Mike Macdonald era. Seattle invested in the trenches as many expected with its first pick, but it’s on defense and not offense. The Seahawks’ next scheduled pick is at No. 81 in the third round.
What are people saying about the latest player to join the Seahawks roster? Social media was abuzz with opinions, so take a look for yourself! Early consensus is that Seattle made a great pick.
Future Seahawk legend
— Spencer (@SpencerN_24) April 26, 2024
WE ARE SO BACK
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) April 26, 2024
AHAHAHHHHHHHH hex yea
— Tyler Alsin (@TylerjAlsin) April 26, 2024
Byron Murphy II is the Fogo De Chao of Buffet eateries. 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. pic.twitter.com/3D8tK5yKqw
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 26, 2024
Now: Do the #seahawks have a Dre’Mont Jones trade in place?
Just asking.
— Curtis Allen (@curtis93969) April 26, 2024
Murphy was one of the few players I thought Seattle may stick and pick at 16. Draft played out perfectly for them.
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) April 26, 2024
SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW
— Big Bruno (@august_rub3676) April 26, 2024
Right now Byron Murphy is the steal of the draft. Johnny Newton is right there with him and the further he falls the bigger the steal
— Jake Butt (@Jbooty88) April 26, 2024
I love this pick. Murphy is a beast
— mitch (@mitch32579) April 26, 2024
Would have preferred Turner but happy with Murphy.
— KidC (@thekidcanada) April 26, 2024
the seahawks just drafted grady jarrett
— over zone y (@cmikesspinmove) April 26, 2024
I like the more I think about it. I’m in! https://t.co/Bmnwc1NTUW
— Carson (@carsonwright26) April 26, 2024
hell ya @Seahawks !! Murphy was my ideal pick for months. Didnt think there was much chance hed make it over the past week or so. Very pleased they didn’t trade out there.
— Jeff Simmons (@realjeffsimmons) April 26, 2024
John Schneider has drafted three players from the University of Texas:
2010: Earl Thomas
2018: Michael Dickson
2024: Byron Murphy II— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) April 26, 2024
Murphy was 13 on the Mock Draft Database consensus big board pic.twitter.com/7nJyc9MZeR
— John P Gilbert (@JohnPGilbertNFL) April 26, 2024
Mike Macdonald getting Byron Murphy II as his first pick feels like an identity pick. Build up the spine of the defense. Linebacker later?
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) April 26, 2024
Pete Carroll shining tonight in his new advisor role. Great advice clearly being given to John and Mike.
— Hustle Chillson (@HustleChillson) April 26, 2024
Murphy has a similar profile to Ravens Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who broke out under new @Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald.#NFLDraft | #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/VqwhCRvY08
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 26, 2024
The last time the Seahawks took a DT in the 1st round was Marcus Tubbs in 2004. pic.twitter.com/8DBwZQZp0B
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) April 26, 2024
Big fan of the #Seahawks picking Byron Murphy. Time to make the defensive line a major strength. Wanted to see commitment to the trenches and this is it. He was expected to go earlier and was widely considered one of the best players in the draft.
— Rob Staton (@robstaton) April 26, 2024