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Seattle Seahawks Rookie DT Byron Murphy II Named 'X-Factor'

Byron Murphy II will be thrust into a big role for the Seattle Seahawks in his rookie season.

Jeremy Brener

Jul 27, 2024; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) during training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2024; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) during training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports / Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
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The Seattle Seahawks selected Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he'll have to play like a veteran in his rookie year if he wants his team to be great.

Bleacher Report writer Kristopher Knox listed Murphy as the team's "X-factor" for the upcoming season.

"Rookie first-round pick Byron Murphy II might just be Macdonald's key to unlocking a top-tier defense. The Texas product was the second defender off the board in April, and his combination of size and upfield quickness can potentially make him a pass-rushing difference-maker in the NFL," Knox writes. "Ideally, Murphy will be Macdonald's new version of Justin Madubuike, a dominant defender who can open up a slew of options with the rest of the defense. If he can, Macdonald may have Seattle racing toward a rapid defensive turnaround."

The Seahawks ranked 30th overall on defense last season, so the team needed to take a defender early, and that's what Murphy is. He was the second defensive player taken in the draft behind UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu, so the Seahawks couldn't have gotten much better on the defensive front.

If Murphy can shine for the Seahawks early, Seattle's chances of making some noise this season are far greater.

Murphy and the Seahawks are set for their preseason finale at home on Saturday when Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns come to town. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT from Lumen Field in Seattle.

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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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