DT Byron Murphy Talks Raiders, Maxx Crosby

Texas Longhorns' Byron Murphy II is one of the top defensive tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft class, and he loves the idea of playing with Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro Maxx Crosby.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Las Vegas Raiders are in need of interior defensive linemen, a position group that is plentiful in this year's NFL Draft class.

One of the best is defensive tackle Byron Murphy of Texas, a likely first-round pick.

Murphy expressed his intrigue for the Raiders when he addressed the media at the NFL Combine on Wednesday, particularly the idea of lining up with Raiders All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby.

"It would be a blessing to meet with the Raiders, and to play with a guy like Maxx Crosby, that would be crazy because I've never played with a guy like that, so I feel like he would make my job much easier as well," Murphy said.

Murphy listed a number of names his game is influenced by, including three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark of the Green Bay Packers.

Texas Longhorns' Byron Murphy II is one of the top defensive tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft class, and he loves the idea of playing with Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro Maxx Crosby / © John David Mercer | 2024 Jan 1

New Raiders Senior Offensive Assistant Joe Philbin oversaw a Packers team that included a young Clark on its defensive line when Philbin took over as the team's interim head coach in 2018.

At the time, Clark was only a year from being named a Pro Bowler for the first time. While Philbin's tenure as interim was quite brief, it's fair to say he played a role in the most important point in Clark's development.

Philbin, of course, is an offensive specialist, but connections mean everything, especially when it comes to prospects.

"What I like about him [Clark], is just how he's a force in the running game," Murphy said. "Just how violent he plays, he's just disruptive. He just has that mindset of just being dominant and just being the most dominant out there. 

"That's what I like about him."

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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