​ESPN has been rolling out its annual top-10 list of the best players at every position, and this week the ranking spotlighted Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams as the No. 1 player at his position in the NFL. The ranking is produced through a survey of scouts, executives, and coaches from across the league, offering a snapshot of how evaluators view the top talents at each role.
Meanwhile, fellow Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II narrowly missed the top tier, earning an honorable mention instead of a spot in the top 10. That distinction leaves Murphy with a very clear objective as he heads into the 2026 season: push his way into the top-10 rankings next offseason. The recognition gap fuels a motivating narrative for the upcoming campaign, with Murphy intent on proving his continued ascent.
A veteran NFL defensive coach who has watched Murphy closely described him as exceptionally explosive, noting that teams often double-team him, yet he consistently finds a way to penetrate those protections. Such a trait underscores his impact on the field and his potential to draw even more attention from offenses in the future.
Murphy’s performance trajectory has already shown significant growth. After a rookie year hampered by injuries, he delivered a breakout sophomore season for Seattle. He logged 62 tackles and seven sacks, and advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus highlighted his game-adjusting pressure numbers, crediting him with 50 quarterback pressures. Those figures illustrate Murphy’s ability to disrupt opposing passing games and create opportunities for his teammates.
The combination of Murphy’s physical tools, relentless motor, and evolving technique positions him as one of the more dominant interior defenders in the league. He possesses the critical traits required to sustain—and perhaps elevate—his level of play, a trajectory that has the Seahawks optimistic about his ceiling. As the club approaches the 2026 season, a pivotal decision looms: the fifth-year option for Murphy will be deliberated by the front office in the lead-up to the next offseason. If Murphy can duplicate or exceed the production he showed in 2025, the path to securing that option becomes considerably smoother for general manager John Schneider and the Seahawks.
The 2026 season promises to be a defining one for Murphy. Success on the field could translate into greater recognition across the league and a stronger case for his continued development as a cornerstone of Seattle’s defensive front. With his talent, explosiveness, and proven ability to pressure quarterbacks, Murphy is positioned to take meaningful strides toward earning a permanent place among the league’s elite at his position. This continued ascent would align with the franchise’s long-term plans and could establish Murphy as a vital component of Seattle’s defense for years to come.