Byron Murphy II is changing the Nose Tackle position forever. In his sophomore year, the 308-pound bulldozer saw a massive leap in growth as he solidified his role in the Seahawks’ Dark Side defense.
Murphy was selected by Seattle with the 16th overall pick in the 2024 draft from Texas. Some could argue his rookie year was underwhelming, but looking beyond the stat sheet tells a different story. He still played 49% of Seattle’s defensive snaps, which was third most among interior linemen on the team, and recorded 21 pressures, the third most for rookie defensive tackles, all while dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in the season.
Fast forward to this season, and Murphy told reporters he wanted to deliver the best version of himself. Nose tackles battle through grit, while being absolved of the glory you’ll see with a defensive end, but through the trenches, Murphy is changing the game. Calling himself a hybrid, he’s seen a massive increase in role responsibility and remains a threat even when double-teamed. Simply put, he’s become a cornerstone of Seattle’s defense.
Over the 2025 campaign, Murphy recorded 62 pressures, 7 sacks, and played 898 snaps, compared to 457 snaps in his rookie year. Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald echoed the praise, saying, “I think he’s the best in the world right now, especially at A-gap double teams. I have a hard time thinking anybody’s better.”
The evolution has been next level. While the average fan might not notice the impact of a nose tackle, Murphy’s presence is undeniable. It’s not the flashiest position in the trenches, and while he acknowledges what comes with the territory, he admitted he felt disrespected when he wasn’t selected for the Pro Bowl. He said, “I felt hurt by it a little bit, but felt more disrespected in a way.”
In Super Bowl LX, Murphy delivered a dominant performance, recording 2 sacks, 2 tackles, and 1 fumble recovery. Despite playing at an elite level on the sport’s biggest stage, missing the Pro Bowl provided a chip on the shoulder mentality.
Byron Murphy II isn’t just evolving as a player; he’s redefining what it means to be a nose tackle in the modern NFL.