Texas Defensive Tackle Byron Murphy 'Most Popular' Los Angeles Rams NFL Mock Draft Pick

Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Byron Murphy seems to be the favorite for the Rams first pick in the NFL Draft.

Matt Galatzan | Apr 13, 2024

Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) defends against Iowa State offensive lineman Jim / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA

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Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are going to do their best to find a player to fill the void left by the retirement of superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

One player who could have a chance to be that player is Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Byron Murphy, who has been scouted as a player with traits similar to Donald in some respects.

Will he be Aaron Donald? More than likely no. That would be a tall order for any player in any draft to replicate.

That said, Murphy has become a popular pick for the Rams at No. 19 in the upcoming NFL Draft. He has been so popular, in fact, that fans have picked him more than any other player in PFF mock drafts.

Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) defends against Iowa State offensive lineman Jim / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA

Murphy was one-half of the country's most dominant defensive tackle tandem and top-ranked rushing defenses in the nation for the Longhorns alongside T'Vondre Sweat.

Murphy recorded 29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks, and even scored two offensive touchdowns, this past season, with one touchdown coming in the College Football Playoff semi-finals vs. Washington in the Sugar Bowl. He is projected as a potential first-round pick, and No. 1 overall defensive tackle by ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.

Of course, the crux of the situation is that Murphy could be gone well before the Rams pick at No. 19 That said, should he indeed fall to L.A., he would be a natural fit in their defensive system.

Not to mention, given the Rams propensity to be aggressive on during the draft, a trade up for Murphy is not necessarily off of the table either.

Published Apr 13, 2024

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com