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.

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.