Talking about building a successful defense, new Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said earlier this offseason "we are trying to build a wall up the middle."

On Thursday, the Seahawks took a big step towards building that wall, selecting University of Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy with the 16^th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot, 306-pound Murphy adds size and playmaking ability to an already talented defensive line, coming to Seattle with credentials as a second-team AP All-American and the Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year.

"I'm just very aggressive, a very dominant player," Murphy said. "I can stop the run, rush the passer, I'm an all-three-down type of D-lineman. That's why I feel like I fit perfect in their scheme and their defense."

A first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2023, Murphy started all 14 games, compiling 29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks while also scoring two touchdowns on offense, one rushing and one receiving.

Like any player being drafted, particularly in the first round, Murphy was excited to get the call from the Seahawks on Thursday.

"When I got that call, I was happy, excited," He said. "It was like a dream come true. I'm really just blessed and honored to be a Seattle Seahawk."

But Murphy's excitement extended beyond becoming a first-round pick; he was also thrilled about the team that picked him seeing as he grew up a Seahawks fan despite his Texas upbringing.

"I really loved the Legion of Boom, Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett, all those guys, just how dominant they were," Murphy said. "And you had the offensive guys, Russell Wilson, Marshawn (Lynch), Doug Baldwin, (Jermaine) Kearse. Just watching them growing up, they dominated the league, they won a Super Bowl, so growing up watching them do that, man, that's all I ever wanted is to win the Super Bowl.

"It means a lot (being picked by Seattle), it's an honor for them to believe in me and invest in me. I'm going to give them everything I've got. I owe them my everything. Growing up that was my favorite team, so to be drafted by Seattle, it's crazy. I give all glory to God, I feel like it's just God's plan."

With the first 14 picks of the draft all being offensive players, a first in NFL draft history, including six quarterbacks, the Seahawks were able to get the second defensive player selected in the entire draft despite picking 16th.

Murphy's NFL prospect profile by Lance Zierlein has this to say:

"Muscular ball of explosiveness with the tools and talent to become a productive three-down defender in the right scheme. Twitchy first-step quickness combined with flexion and power in his lower half create a recipe for disruption as a gap shooter or as a pass rusher.

"Murphy is powerful and well-schooled at taking on double-teams but lacks ideal mass and length for that role long-term. He's successful at bypassing protection with sudden hands and quick feet, while his motor and passion create an activity level coaches will love.

"Forget the average physical traits and modest production and focus on his competitive spirit and disruptive qualities. Murphy is ascending and could become a successful nose tackle or 3-technique in an even front."

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