Disappointment was real after Seahawks stole draft pick from NFC West rival

No one quite knows what the Seattle Seahawks are going to do during a draft. This was especially true this year because, for the first time since he came to Seattle, general manager John Schneider was fully in control over all the roster moves. In past drafts, Pete Carroll was in charge and he liked to take his chances.

To be fair, many of the chances paid off. Where would Seattle have been without Richard Sherman and DK Metcalf? Seattle's first-round choices have not paid off as much as the later-round picks, but clearly Carroll liked to address the outside skill players rather than the trenches. As it turns out, Schneider wanted to take a different approach this year.

The GM wanted to improve the offensive and defensive lines - Seattle used their first two choices on players who work the trenches - and taking defensive tackle Byron Murphy II was a great selection. Murphy was only the second defensive player chosen but he also fit a position of need for Seattle. He should make an immediate impact in run defense, and get occasional pressure on quarterbacks.

Seattle Seahawks stole the player the Los Angeles Rams wanted in the 2024 NFL draft

Seattle was not the only NFC West team that wanted to take the Texas product, though. The Los Angeles Rams, who lost Aaron Donald to retirement this offseason, wanted to get Murphy as well. The problem for LA was that they were set to pick at number 19 and the Seahawks were three spots ahead of them.

In a recently released draft day video, the Rams made several calls with teams in an attempt to move up in the draft to take Murphy, but the Rams got no takers. Los Angeles even entertained the option of calling the Seahawks but decided against it.

Rams head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead should get some credit for letting the video be posted on social media. They don't look in the best light. Their faces after the Seahawks choose Murphy is obviously one of disappointment. They didn't get their ready-made replacement for Donald; Seattle - thankfully - did.

The rest is up to Mike Macdonald and Byron Murphy. Macdonald is a great defensive coach and Murphy has the potential to be an excellent player. Hopefully, Macdonald's scheme will augment Murphy's skills. Also, let's hope that the Seahawks never lose to the Rams again.

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