The 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25, and former Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II will be waiting in the wings to hear his name called in the first round. Murphy played three seasons with the Texas Longhorns, playing in 39 games and starting in 16. He was named an AP second-team All-American after his 2023, in which he had 29 total tackles, 13 solo tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks, all career highs for the interior lineman.
Byron Murphy II: Scouting Report
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein highlights Murphy’s backfield penetration and intangibles in his draft profile:
Muscular ball of explosiveness with the tools and talent to become a productive three-down defender in the right scheme. Twitchy first-step quickness combined with flexion and power in his lower half create a recipe for disruption as a gap shooter or as a pass rusher. Murphy is powerful and well-schooled at taking on double-teams but lacks ideal mass and length for that role long-term. He’s successful at bypassing protection with sudden hands and quick feet, while his motor and passion create an activity level coaches will love. Forget the average physical traits and modest production and focus on his competitive spirit and disruptive qualities.
Mock Draft landing spots
The most popular mocked landing spot for Murphy is Cincinnati. The Bengals would take him at No. 18 overall. However, Field Yates has the Seahawks nabbing him at No. 16 overall. Murphy is one of the — if not the — top interior defensive linemen in this draft class, and whoever doesn’t get him will likely go for Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton.