NFL expert issues warning to NFC West about Seahawks rookie Byron Murphy II

One cannot expect too much from a rookie. They can be pretty successful, but they should also be a ways from their peak. Adapting from college to the NFL is obviously not an easy thing to do, nor should it be. Seattle Seahawks rookie Byron Murphy II could be good in 2024, but he might be great in 2025.

In his first preseason action, Murphy made one splash play where he drove a backup offensive lineman backward, and then Murphy wrapped up the running back and smashed him into the ground. The defensive lineman flashed quickness, extreme strength, and menace all in one play. On the next play, however, he missed a sack opportunity.

The point is that Murphy is probably going to show enough as a rookie to give a glimpse into an extremely productive future. Even Aaron Donald, while he had an excellent rookie year, got better. Donald had 44 total pressures in his first year which was by far his lowest in a full season. He did have nine sacks, though, so maybe Murphy can get to six.

NFL expert believes Seahawks rookie Byron Murphy II is set to be a menace in the NFC West

The NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah believes the NFC West must be prepared to face the onslaught that Murphy can bring. He issued a warning to the rest of the Seahawks' division on social media on Tuesday saying, "PSA for NFC West teams- You better have a plan for blocking Byron Murphy II. He's going to be a big problem. Exceptional quicks, leverage and power."

The Los Angeles Chargers had a plan for the rookie and that included double-teaming Murphy on a bunch of plays. They saw first-hand what the defensive lineman is capable of if a team tries to block Murphy with just one player. The question will become how well Murphy can adjust to being double-teamed by NFL offensive linemen.

What could help Murphy the most is that head coach Mike Macdonald will know best what positions to put Murphy in to succeed. This likely means using the rookie in the same way that Macdonald used Justin Madubuike which means having Murphy line up over tackle. Madubuike's numbers exploded in 2023 with what Macdonald was having him do and his total pressures went from 32 total pressures in 2022 to 64 in 2023.

If Murphy can get to 35 total pressures in 2024, his rookie year will be highly successful. He can learn from veteran teammates Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed as well. As Jeremiah wrote, the NFC West needs to be prepared to plan how to stop Murphy for several years.

More Seahawks news and analysis: