Hawks stick and pick Byron Murphy II

With almost every defensive player still available to them after 14 of the first 15 picks were offensive players, the Seahawks stayed at 16 and took the best interior defensive lineman, Byron Murphy II of Texas.

He was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year after notching five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. He also scored two TDs on offense.

Murphy is a 6-1, 297-pound D-tackle who should jump into the D-line rotation with the Seahawks, playing end in their 3-4 looks.

Here is what top analysts said about Murphy.

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network

Rank: 19

Comment: “Murphy is a very explosive, nimble and instinctive defensive tackle. He is a dynamic disruptor against the pass game. He explodes out of his stance and can roll his hips on contact, creating instant push. He consistently gets underneath blockers and prevails in the leverage battle. He has quick hands to win with swipe moves, a push/pull maneuver or a violent club. Once he feels a blocker leaning left or right, he has elite change-of-direction quickness. Against the run, he can utilize his quickness to penetrate and create negative plays. He also has incredible balance to take on blocks while going to one knee before uncoiling and making plays. (I haven’t seen anyone else use this technique before, but it’s very effective.) He has plenty of range to make plays laterally. Overall, Murphy might lack ideal size, but he’s a leverage machine who makes an impact on all three downs.”

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

Rank: 16

Comment: “Murphy doesn’t have ideal length, but his rare combination of lower-body twitch, natural leverage and power throughout his frame sets his apart. With his disruptive energy, both as a pass rusher and versus the run, he projects as an impact starter who can play shaded nose or three-technique, similar to Grady Jarrett.”

Rob Rang, FOX Sports

Rank: 28

Comment: “While his bigger teammate, T’Vondre Sweat, was named the Outland Trophy winner, Murphy’s quick hands and slithery interior pass rush are better suited to today’s pass-happy pro game.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Comment: “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. Murphy is ascending and could become a successful nose tackle or 3-technique in an even front.”

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