The Twitterverse loves the Seattle Seahawks' selection of defensive tackle Byron Murphy II at number 16. Mike Macdonald is probably pretty happy too.
The 2024 draft is easily the strangest in history. The first 14 picks were all on the offensive side of the ball. Add that six quarterbacks were taken in the first 12, and - well, mind blown. John Schneider and Mike Macdonald had to be high-fiving as the Colts were set to pick at number 15. No matter who Indianapolis chose, the Hawks could address one of their biggest needs.
When Laiatu Latui went to Indy, the scene was set for the Hawks' success. Latu will be a great player, but Edge is one of Seattle's few positions of strength. With Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu in place, and Nwosu the "old man" at 26, they're set there. Seattle could address their biggest need, which is in the trenches. They landed a star in Byron Murphy II.
Social media loves the Seattle Seahawks pick at 16
We have to agree with one of the top reporters in the NFL. Yes, sir, Mr. Rapoport, Murphy is the best-case scenario for the Hawks. Seattle's line could use a monster, and they have one in the Texas Longhorn who can shut down the run and destroy opposing quarterbacks.
The #Seahawks select at No. 16: #Texas DT Byron Murphy, one of the draft's cleanest prospects. A favorite of defensive coordinators and best-case scenario for Seattle.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2024
I didn't expect Murphy to fall to 16 either, Mr. Condotta. But I did manage to get him in three of my mock drafts, so I'll take full credit for manifesting the pick into reality. Not really, but it happened somehow, right?
I did write this in my mock draft on Wednesday. So I was sorta right: https://t.co/OeAt9TOfwC pic.twitter.com/bpoiqvqnAw
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) April 26, 2024
Oh, I don't think there's any argument about it, Mr. Dugar. I'd say Murphy is easily the best interior defender in this draft. Remember, he started at nose tackle more than the massive T'Vondre Sweat. Oh, and he even scored twice on offense. Murphy can do it all.
The #Seahawks added arguably the best interior defensive player in the 2024 Draft, selecting Byron Murphy II with the No. 16 pick. Here's how he fits in Seattle. https://t.co/0YXXS1hU1r pic.twitter.com/1ITVHrBNTD
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) April 26, 2024
I agree, the Seahawks are certainly committing to fixing the run with the selection of Murphy. Add that he's just as nasty against the pass, with 45 pressures from the inside. Seattle came away with a huge win here.
Seahawks commit to fixing run defense w/ Byron Murphy II https://t.co/FhwXv1bkkU pic.twitter.com/gSITbcZXyB
— The Seahawks Wire (@TheSeahawksWire) April 26, 2024
Talk about building a wall - good grief! The Hawks are going to locking down the line with the pick of Murphy.
In March, Mike Macdonald said that when it comes to building a defense, he wants to "build a wall up the middle." On Thursday, the #Seahawks took a big step towards building that wall, using their first-round pick on Texas DT Byron Murphy II: https://t.co/3lUQeam1gz
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) April 26, 2024
The Hawks liked Murphy as much as he liked them. He's on the record as being a big fan of the Seahawks. He said he grew up following the LOB and modeling his game on Beastquake. We can anticipate more seismic activity with the arrival of the 16th pick in the 2024 draft.