Lead NFL Insider for ESPN Adam Schefter reports that he is hearing that there are "some front office executives" who think that Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II could be the first defensive player off the board in the 2024 NFL draft.
It's possible a defender might not be picked until Atlanta at No. 8 or Chicago at No. 9. Murphy could be a consideration for both teams. Murphy, who had five sacks last season, is talented, plays a coveted position and has gotten clean character reports. He might interest new Falcons coach Raheem Morris, who had Aaron Donald dominate at that position when he was the coordinator in Los Angeles.
Murphy II is seen on consensus big boards as the top defensive tackle in this draft, but the 17th-ranked player overall, and is projected to the Cincinnati Bengals at pick #18. The Falcons need interior defensive line help as David Onyemata and Grady Jarrett will likely serve the duties with the roster as currently constructed. Both players could be successful but are better suited working against tackles in one-on-one scenarios than defeating double teams inside.
Murphy allows Onyemata and Jarrett to move back outside due to his ability to work double teams despite being undersized as a traditional nose tackle. He also is versatile enough to move along the line alongside Onyemata and Jarett, in case there are certain matchups head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake would want to exploit.
Will it happen? Probably not.
Despite the pass rush juice Murphy gives you from the interior, Atlanta's need for either a corner opposite A.J. Terrell or a true outside linebacker/edge rusher trumps the addition of a nose tackle like Murphy in the top-ten.
However, there is no denying that the allure of a potential Aaron Donald look-alike in Atlanta could tempt Morris and Lake if they stick and pick at eight or, more likely, if they trade down.
