Seattle May Have Found Their Next Superstar — Second-Year Star Breaking Out
Seahawks second-year star showing signs of a breakout season
The Seattle Seahawks played their best game of the season in Week 3 as they dominated the New Orleans Saints in all three facets, winning by a score of 44-13. Seattle did not punt until the fourth quarter when their backups were in the game following a dominant performance by Sam Darnold.
They received a strong performance on special teams as they returned a punt for a touchdown, blocked another, and had a 60-yard kickoff return.
The Seahawks' defense was equally impressive, as New Orleans was unable to reach the end zone until the final frame. Mike Macdonald's team has been elite on both sides of the football as they are the only team that is top-five in both scoring offense and scoring defense -- ranking fifth in the former and second in the latter.
Byron Murphy II has been a big part of Seattle's defensive success. After an up-and-down rookie season, the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft appears to be in the midst of a breakout year.
Byron Murphy II slowly becoming one of the league's best interior DL
John Schneider has proven that he is among the best drafters in the league; however, Byron Murphy II's rookie season was not great. The former Texas Longhorn appeared in 14 games, making nine starts, and recorded 36 total tackles, 12 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and one quarterback hit.
Seahawks Today tweeted how impressive, "Among all interior DL, Byron Murphy II is: - 1st in sacks (3) - 1st in pressures (12) - 1st in hurries (8) - 1st in run stops (9) - 1st in solo tackles (9)"
While Pro Football Reference has Murphy II listed at 2.5 sacks and six solo tackles, his turnaround has been impressive either way. He has posted a 70.1 PFF grade, including a 78.6 pass rush grade that ranks 12th out of 169 interior defenders.
Murphy II hasn't been great against the run as his 53.1 run defense grade ranks just 109th. His leap in his second-year, however, gives the Seahawks front office plenty to be happy about and there is no reason that he cannot continue to improve -- particularly against the run.
If he is able to maintain his level of play, it would hardly be a surprise if Seattle remains among the league's best defenses throughout the season.
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