Could Rams Target Texas DT Byron Murphy After Aaron Donald Retirement?
Texas Longhorns star defensive tackle Byron Murphy II has been flying up NFL Draft boards in recent months. After an impressive showing at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, that continues to be the case.
With the free agency period beginning to shape the rest of the NFL heading into next month's draft, things were beginning to become a little more clear as to where Murphy could potentially land.
However, on Friday, another major factor developed, with Los Angeles Rams superstar and future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald announcing his retirement.
And with Donald now gone, it is conceivable that the Rams could see Murphy as a long-term answer to replace him.
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Alongside T'Vondre Sweat, Murphy was one-half of the country's most dominant defensive tackle tandem and top-ranked rushing defenses. Sweat has also recently hinted that he is going to forgo his final season, sending a goodbye message to fans on social media.
He is projected as a potential first-round pick, and No. 1 overall defensive tackle by ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.
"As I wrote in my second mock draft, when I projected Murphy to the Raiders at No. 13 overall, he has the highest pass-rush upside of any of the interior defensive linemen in this class," Kiper said. "He's a little short for a 3-technique tackle, but then again so was Aaron Donald. No, Murphy is not Donald; I'm just saying there's precedent for smaller (relatively) interior pass-rushers to have NFL success."
As Kiper says, Murphy is not Donald. No one is. But he could provide the kind of traits that the Rams would be looking for as a replacement.
Of course, the crux of the situation is that Murphy could be gone well before the Rams pick at No. 19 next month. That said, the Rams have been aggressive in the draft in the past, meaning a trade-up for Donald would not necessarily be out of the question.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who perhaps knows Murphy's skill set better than anyone, mentioned all of the qualities he sees in Murphy that allow him to be so dominant and impactful on the football field.
“He’s built like a pit bull, man,” Sarkisian said. “He’s strong. He’s got really strong shoulders. He’s extremely quick and powerful. He’s got a very high football IQ, and he plays hard. Those are all really cool prerequisites that you want to have as a defensive lineman, especially with his stature.”
This season, Murphy has recorded a total of 29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. and even scored two offensive touchdowns, including one in the College Football Playoff semi-finals vs. Washington in the Sugar Bowl.
All things that the Rams would love to add to their defensive front, now that Donald is gone.