Murphy\u2019s stats didn\u2019t jump off the page for a first-round draft pick, as he finished with 0.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and 36 tackles in 14 games. But then again, raw stats typically aren\u2019t the best way to measure a defensive tackle\u2019s value.<\/p>\n
The 6-foot, 306-pound Murphy frequently took on double teams and clogged holes up front, serving as a key interior piece for a defense that evolved into a top-five unit in the NFL over the second half of the season.<\/p>\n
Murphy ranked 64th out of 118 interior defensive linemen in Pro Football Focus grading<\/a> \u2013 a decent spot for a rookie, especially one who dealt with a groin injury that sidelined him for three games early on. He totaled 21 pressures and 15 run stops, which was about middle of the pack for interior defensive linemen, according to PFF.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the next step for Murphy in Year 2? Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde was asked that question after an OTA practice last week.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the next level for him is just consistency,\u201d Durde said. \u201cI felt like for him, he had a certain role \u2013 a first-and-second-down role, (with) some third down reps. I think he can make a big jump to become an every-down D-tackle and affect the game on all downs and distances.<\/p>\n \u201cYou kind of saw glimpses of it last year, but it\u2019s just building that consistency, that mental conditioning, physical conditioning and understanding what type of situation you\u2019re in for that position.\u201d<\/p>\n Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard<\/a> agreed with that assessment during a Blue 88 segment on Seattle Sports\u2019 Brock and Salk.<\/p>\n Huard also said there will be more of an expectation on Murphy to make impact plays this fall, given his status as the No. 16 overall pick and the second defensive player off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to be a D-tackle with a high PFF grade like (Seahawks Pro Bowl defensive lineman) Leonard Williams, you make splash and impact plays,\u201d Huard said. \u201cYou don\u2019t just hold the fort on double teams. You don\u2019t take him No. 16 overall to just anchor and take on double teams. You\u2019ve gotta be a little more than that.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I would agree with Mr. Durde \u2013 that comes with a down-to-down, series-to-series, game-to-game consistency that has to keep maturing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Listen to the full Blue 88 segment at this link<\/a> or in the audio player at the bottom of this story. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.<\/p>\n Seattle Seahawks news and analysis<\/p>\n \u2022 Macdonald hints Seattle Seahawks could still look to add veteran CB<\/a>
\u2022 What Macdonald said about Seattle Seahawks\u2019 O-line position battles<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0What stood out from Seattle Seahawks\u2019 final minicamp practice<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Taste in food aside, Darnold gaining Seattle Seahawks\u2019 respect<\/a>
\u2022 Seattle Seahawks\u2019 defense reminding Mike Morris of 2021 at Michigan<\/a><\/p>\n
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