The Los Angeles Rams are faced with the task of identifying a worthy successor for the legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who recently declared his retirement.
According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. in his recent mock draft, he projected the Rams to select Byron Murphy II from the University of Texas with the 19th overall pick. Kiper highlighted that Murphy possesses a similar physical build to Aaron Donald, who has been honored as the Defensive Player of the Year three times.
“Murphy is the best interior pass-rusher in this class, and at 6-foot-1, 297 pounds, he has a similar build to Donald [listed at 6-foot-1, 280 pounds],” Kiper Jr. wrote of the selection. “I’m not saying he will become a perennial All-Pro, but he has intriguing tools at the position. He had five sacks and created 33 pressures last season. This match makes a lot of sense.”
Kobie Turner, the nose tackle, showcased his skills last season by leading the team in sacks with nine in 17 games. He also secured a commendable third place in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. However, it is evident that Turner alone cannot fill the void left by Aaron Donald, who recorded an impressive 111 sacks during his 10 seasons with the Rams. Therefore, it would be wise for the team to consider acquiring another interior pass-rusher to bolster their defensive lineup.
Murphy II received an impressive grade of 91.1 from Pro Football Focus in 2023, ranking as the second-best at his position, just behind his Texas teammate T’Vondre Sweat (91.7). Throughout 14 games, the 21-year-old showcased his skills with 8.5 tackles for loss, contributing significantly to the Longhorns’ achievement of their first-ever College Football Playoff berth.
Renowned NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media regarded Murphy II as the top defensive tackle in this year’s class, highlighting his exceptional athleticism as a standout attribute.
“Murphy is a very explosive, nimble and instinctive defensive tackle,” wrote Jeremiah. “Overall, Murphy might lack ideal size, but he’s a leverage machine who makes an impact on all three downs.”
It would be unreasonable to suggest that Murphy II will reach the same level as Aaron Donald, considering Donald’s exceptional career. However, Murphy II has the potential to develop into a reliable starter and contribute to the Rams’ pass rush improvement. In the 2023 season, the Rams ranked tied for 23rd in the league in sacks with 41 and 22nd in pressures with 128. Adding Murphy II to their defensive lineup could help address these areas and bolster their overall pass-rushing capabilities.
