The Seattle Seahawks are discovering what it's like to play non-complementary football right now, something they didn't have to deal with very much last season. This season has turned out a little differently, at least early on. However, the same cannot be said for some of Seattle's players from an individual standpoint.
The likes of Leonard Williams (three sacks), Ernest Jones IV (three sacks, one interception), and Nehemiah Pritchett (two interceptions) have all stood out in powerful ways for the Seahawks, and considering the season is just one quarter of the way through, others are bound to start making noise of their own.
One of Seattle's best defenders who isn't waiting to make some noise is Byron Murphy II, who has, without question, been one of the Seahawks' best defenders through six games, if not the best. Murphy continued his dominance against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5, and it showed just how Pro Bowl-worthy he is, and hopefully will be.
Seattle Seahawks' DT Byron Murphy II is on his way to making his first Pro Bowl selection (but it should be his second)
Six tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks—these were Murphy's defensive contributions against the 49ers in Week 5, including becoming the first player to sack Brock Purdy this season.
Through six games, Murphy has 21 total tackles (ten assists, 11 solo), three sacks, 19 total pressures (fifth among all NFL defensive tackles), and a 14.2% pressure rate (second among NFL defensive tackles).
If Murphy isn't in early Pro Bowl consideration, what are we doing? There are strong arguments that he was snubbed last season after finishing first in fan voting among all NFC defensive tackles and posting numbers like seven sacks and 62 total tackles. Yet, he was left off the team.
Murphy publicly admitted he felt disrespected by the snub, but the Super Bowl ring he received shortly after helped him come down a little. Given how dominant Murphy has been this season, if he keeps this up, a back-to-back Pro Bowl snub would be entirely outrageous.
Not only is Murphy playing so well, but he's also quickly emerging as one of the league's best defensive linemen, period, and just in his third NFL season, too. Along with his defensive lineman teammate, Leonard, the pair have combined for five tackles for loss, which leads the Seahawks among all defenders.
Leonard is a whole other monster in his own right, but Murphy is ascending, and ascending fast, to Leonard's veteran status. Murphy's goal this season was to reach double-digit sacks, and he is well on pace.
If voting started today, Murphy would be on the Pro Bowl list. His dedication and drive to wreck defences speak to his elite trajectory and to how much better the Seahawks' defense will be over the next several years with him leading the rush.
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