The stats that show why the Seahawks drafted Byron Murphy II

For the second 12 months in a row, the Seattle Seahawks took the second defensive participant off the board within the NFL Draft. Final 12 months they landed cornerback Devon Witherspoon, an eventual finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Yr. On Thursday night time in Detroit, Seattle used the No. 16 total decide on defensive deal with Byron Murphy II from Texas.

Unbelievable athletic traits

Byron Murphy II was a standout at February’s NFL combine. There can be considerations about his peak and his arm size, but it surely isn’t like Seahawks followers haven’t been affected by a not too long ago retired Los Angeles Rams legend who confronted related pre-draft query marks. If an Aaron Donald comp is a bit too lofty, his Relative Athletic Rating (RAS) mirrors former Cincinnati Bengals star Geno Atkins, a member of the NFL’s All-Decade 2010s Group.

Murphy ticks the athletic checkboxes to make up for being “undersized.” And earlier than anybody brings up Malik McDowell when wanting again at earlier high-profile efforts by the Seahawks to enhance the inside defensive position via the draft, read this quote from Steve Sarkisian.

“Seattle acquired an incredible one and a man that may be an anchor on their defensive position for a very long time in Byron Murphy,” mentioned Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. “The largest factor about Murph is the work ethic. He wasn’t essentially the most extremely recruited participant popping out of highschool, however he labored extraordinarily onerous, earned everybody’s respect and developed right into a big-time NFL first-round decide.

McDowell had work ethic, maturity, and effort concerns within the lead-up to the draft that had been documented. Seattle was consciously taking an opportunity even earlier than his ATV accident. Murphy seems to be a high-character participant with none of those self same worries.

Move rush win fee

Murphy solely managed 8 sacks whole over three seasons at Texas. We all know that sacks generally is a deceptive stat for defensive tackles on the collegiate and NFL degree. In his breakout junior season, Murphy had an distinctive cross rush win fee, which is outlined as a pass-rusher beating their block inside 2.5 seconds,

That is an impressive record of inside defensive linemen and Jerry Tillery. Kancey already seems to be promising with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carter was Defensive Rookie of the Yr runner-up on an terrible Eagles protection, and Christian Barmore is in line for an enormous payday from both the New England Patriots or another person. Chris Jones (who solely had 8.5 sacks in school and has 75.5 sacks within the NFL) is ultimately Canton-bound, whereas Quinnen Williams and Jonathan Allen are multi-time Pro Bowl alternatives.

In straight dropback passing conditions, he was phenomenal. From PFF:

Whereas Murphy profiles as a real three-down contributor on the inside, he’s even higher when unburdened by sifting via run motion. On snaps with out play motion, Murphy amassed 38 whole pressures on 180 snaps for an unbelievable 21.1% stress fee, a fee greater than 7 share factors greater than that of every other inside prospect on this 12 months’s class.

Run stops

Murphy’s 9.5% run cease fee in his ultimate season ranked twenty sixth within the nation amongst all inside defensive linemen. He’s not setting the world on fireplace in comparison with his teammate T’Vondre Sweat (12.8%) or Michigan’s Kris Jenkins (12.6%), however nonetheless above-average in comparison with most of his friends.

My hope is that the cross rush stats are the first purpose the Seahawks drafted Murphy. I’m rather more intrigued by what Murphy gives on that entrance than his run protection, which continues to be precious however not the principle focus. Whereas the run protection should be higher than final 12 months’s monstrosity, Seattle has no shot at contending any time quickly if its going to trot out one other below-average cross protection, which it has for 5 straight seasons. The Seahawks have had one season since 2017 with a stress fee within the top-half of the league, per Sports Info Solutions.

The proof is obvious that you may make deep playoff runs with average-at-best run protection. You’re principally screwed for those who don’t have a high-level passing assault and at the least a reliable cross protection.

Murphy is meant to be a two-way participant however I’d somewhat see one a part of his recreation prioritized much more than the opposite… it’s the one which constantly wins championships.

100% landing fee

The pink zone woes are fastened. This man has two profession touches within the pink zone and he scored each occasions.

Welcome to Seattle, Byron!