Falcon Report

NFL Draft: Why Atlanta Falcons Should Select Byron Murphy II

The Atlanta Falcons could use another defensive lineman in this year's NFL Draft.

Jeremy Brener

Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrates
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrates / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
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The Atlanta Falcons will be looking for reinforcements on the defensive line in this year's NFL Draft.

Among the top defenders in the class is Texas Longhorns standout Byron Murphy II, who is expected to be a first-round pick in this month's NFL Draft.

Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrates sacking Iowa State quarterback
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrates sacking Iowa State quarterback / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman /

With Grady Jarrett coming off a torn ACL and Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree still unsigned, having a player who can get after the quarterback as well as Murphy can is crucial for the Falcons.

"If the Falcons believe they need a better option in the middle of their new three-man defensive front, then the 6-1, 308-pound Murphy is the answer," The Athletic writes. "He had 45 quarterback pressures from the interior last season."

Murphy should be on the board when the Falcons are on the clock with the No. 8 pick, but he may not be there when they come back up in the second round. So the only legitimate shot Murphy has to join the Falcons is if the team trades back from No. 8 in the first round.

The Falcons may look to trade back in order to acquire more assets in a deep defensive draft when the top of the first round should lead to more offensive players being selected.

The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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