NFL expert mocks Seattle Seahawks to get priceless prospect in 2024 NFL draft

The Seattle Seahawks have some obvious needs in the 2024 NFL draft. One of these is along the interior of the defensive line. Seattle might hope to re-sign free agent Leonard Williams, but the contract is also likely to be too expensive for the team. Jarran Reed and Dre'Mont Jones return, but Seattle will need to find an upgrade in talent.

The most cost-effective option would be to draft a defensive lineman, of course. This would keep the player under team control for at least four years and possibly five if he plays well enough through his first three years. By that player's third season, he could be just as effective as Williams might be even in 2024 and he would be much younger, of course.

My point is that while getting Williams back would be fantastic, Seattle is unlikely to be able to do so and the team should instead draft his replacement. One prospect that could land in Seattle was recently mocked by NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah to be taken by the Seahawks. The player is Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.

Byron Murphy II could be a great fit for the Seattle Seahawks

Murphy has a couple of traits that should allow him to be productive early in his career. He is ridiculously strong and will only get stronger in an NFL weight training program. But there is little doubt that he could easily battle with, and overtake, many offensive linemen already in the NFL.

Murphy is 6'1" and 308 pounds which is the same height as the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald and 30 pounds heavier. Donald is exceptionally quick and strong, but Murphy is also capable of explosiveness. He might not be able to gain much more weight due to his height, but as long as he stays healthy, he has the strength to succeed.

He was also well coached at Texas, especially in terms of how to beat double-teams. His initial burst is too much for most players, though he lacks great arm length in order to keep blockers at bay. Still, he has fantastic technique so he should know how to use what size he has to his maximum ability. He will also be helped by playing under Mike Macdonald in Seattle as Macdonald will get him in the right situations to help the team quickly.

Taking Murphy might not be as sexy as choosing a quarterback, but Murphy fills a greater position of need. He also might be capable of being a transcendent player. Long-term that is going to be better for the Seahawks than re-signing Williams or finding Geno Smith's replacement in the 2024 NFL draft.

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