Every year, we see guys move way up (or down) from where the pre-draft rankings have them. This past draft, it was Calijah Kancey, a late R2 pick in December that went 19th, and Keeanu Benton, buried down in R4 in December but went pick 49. Same with Devonta Wyatt and Travis Jones in 2022.
After watching the top DTs in this class, Texas Longhorn Byron Murphy II is going to be one of the big risers between now and April. Not meant to be a hot take as I don’t do that, but, beyond being a riser, I’m not sure that Byron isn’t DT1 in this class. He’s going to test like Calijah and become a quick riser to the draft public.
When you ask “how will this guy win in the NFL” or “what is special about him”, Byron’s explosiveness for his size is what stands out. And it compares to recent guys that have gone on to success in the NFL:
- Very good power and plays with leverage that generates consistent pressure
- Stand-out first step quickness, rarely seen at his size
- Relentless, clip after clip where he looks buried or washed out of a play and recovers to make a play
- Solid in run defense with underrated range from the interior and ability to hold his space
Consistent pressure against top competition
Murphy consistently is causing havoc with 40 pressures on 246 dropbacks this season (16.2% pressure rate) and a 29% win rate. For all the sack purists, he’s added 6 sacks (2.6% sack rate).
If these numbers don’t mean much to you, just know that Byron is in rare air here. The only DTs better in the past five drafts are Calijah Kancey (17.1% pressure and 2.9% sack rates) and Quinnen Williams (16.3% and 2.9%). Both athletic freaks, just like Byron.
Here are three clips that show his quickness and ability to generate pressure:
And Byron has done it against the best teams. Against their three top-25 opponents this season (Alabama, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State) he had 11 pressures on 52 dropbacks, a 21% pressure rate.
When you watch his full games, it was noticeable how offenses moved the ball when he was off the field.
Power and range in run defense
Murphy has 19 run stops on 150 snaps, a 12.7% run stop rate, again in with some of the top guys in recent drafts. And this is better than any DT in this class except teammate T’Vondre Swift and Michigan’s Kris Jenkins – two very good DTs but guys that don’t pair the same pass rush upside as Byron.
Again, his athleticism and power show up:
- The first is Byron, after being doubled and seemingly out of the play, quickly getting out to the edge to take down Oklahoma State’s 1,600 yard rusher Ollie Gordon.
- Again against Oklahoma State, this time pushing the center back at the goal line, shedding, and making the stop.
- The third is Byron again taken out with a double, but recovering through power.
An ex-running back and it shows
He played running back until as he explained, “ate himself out of the position” in high school and it shows when you see his initial quickness.
Don’t be shocked if he turns heads at the Combine – there isn’t another guy his size with the quickness in this class:
- Reportedly the strongest guy on the Longhorns team, he showed up on Bruce Feldman’s freak list with a 455-pound front squat and was said to be able to hit 500 pounds.
- At close to 310 pounds, he’s been GPS-clocked at 18 mph which again is in good company – similarly-sized and athletic freak Jets star Quinnen Williams has also topped out at 18 mph.
Athletics alone doesn’t determine success, but it does matter and you see it is how he so often wins on the field.
His ex-linemate and current Eagle Moro Ojomo agrees: “raw talent-wise, [Byron] is probably the most insane defensive lineman I’ve seen while I’ve been here.”
This is just fun, but look at his route-running and ability to create separation when Texas called his number at the goal line:
Draft projection and fit
Why another DT could make sense for the Eagles
Many question drafting defensive line again after the Eagles have invested a lot over the past couple of years. But they are still relying on Fletcher Cox for 700-800 snaps a year which is going to end at some point.
They have Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo, and Marlon Tuipulotu but both Milt and Moro are smaller DTs and Milt and Marlon are sneaking up on free agency after the 2024 season.
Byron gives the Eagles something the Eagles will miss after Fletch – somebody that can fill in for Davis at 0T but also move around the line.
Currently a late day 2 guy, expect a big pre-draft rise
Byron Murphy has an expected draft position between 80-100 today, but he will go higher than that. How high? I don’t know, but the draft averages 3.5 DTs in R1 and 6 by the end of R2 – guys with Byron’s traits and pressure numbers don’t last.
It’s hard to slot DTs without talking about what you are looking for. Some teams will want a massive run-stopping guy in the center of the line like T’Vondre Swift. Jer’Zhan Newton is probably consensus DT1 and brings similar traits as Byron, but is more of a 3T with some versatility out whereas Byron is 0T to 3T.
Byron is going to be a top pick on the defensive line in April and anybody looking for an athletic interior guy with pass rushing value, look to him.
Howie, last year we reunited Georgia linemen, let’s do it again and reunite Byron with teammate Moro Ojomo!
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