Ryan Murphy to Seattle Seahawks: Full Draft-Pick Analysis

The defending champion Seattle Seahawks have earned a reputation as a team that plays excellent, aggressive overall defense. 

However, it is the secondary, led by Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, that has grabbed the NFL spotlight with the "Legion of Boom" moniker. There are great defenders all over Seattle's roster, but the Seahawks defense seems to begin and end with its ability to thrive against opposing passers. 

However, the Seattle pass defense does have a little room for improvement. 

According to Pro Football Focus, the Seahawks ranked fourth overall in pass coverage in 2014. Though it did rank first in pass yardage allowed (185.6 yards per game), you can bet that the team would prefer to be first in every category.

Perhaps this is why Seahawks general manager John Schneider decided to grab two pass defenders in this year's draft, the second one being former Oregon State safety Ryan Murphy.

Murphy was selected in the seventh round with the 248th overall selection; he was the last of Seattle's draft picks.

On the surface, it would seem that the Seahawks don't have room for another safety on the roster. However, the team doesn't have a lot of room for any players and can certainly afford to take a flier on a developmental prospect late in the draft.

If that gamble comes at a position Seattle hopes to keep strong for the foreseeable future, then even better.

Murphy fits head coach Pete Carroll's idea of a good defensive back. He is a rangy 6'3", 214-pound pass defender who can match up physically with most opposing receivers. He also has the kind of ball skills to make a difference, even if he only plays on a situational basis.

"Murphy is a size/speed athlete who flashed impressive ball skills and playmaking ability in college. It's tough to doubt Pete Carroll's defensive back selections." Mark Dulgerian of NFL.com said of Murphy after his selection.

Murphy finished the 2014 season with 65 total tackles and eight passes defended. He also returned 13 kicks for 295 yards and a touchdown.

Interestingly (or perhaps not) Murphy is also a cousin of Seahawks star running back Marshawn Lynch. 

“I was hoping to go against him,” Murphy told reporters, per Nick Eaton of Seattlepi.com. “But, I mean, calling him a teammate, that’s great too. That’s great. He knows what I’m capable of. I’m just looking to do anything to fit on that team.”

Obviously, the Seahawks had more than a family reunion in mind when they turned in Murphy's draft card. However, his attitude and willingness to work may have been something that Lynch made known to his coaching staff. 

If Murphy really is willing to do anything to make the team, it will likely include some special teams duties and maybe some work on the scout team. Athletically, he is everything the Seahawks want in a defender, and if he is given time to develop he may become one of the steals of this year's draft.