Ian Rapoport Adds More Gas To Byron Murphy Bears Fire

Rumors always tend to get a bit more accurate closer to the draft as teams have solidified their boards. While nothing is ever 100% certain, there is always an undercurrent of information detailing how things will likely go. Last year, everybody wanted to believe the Chicago Bears were taking Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. However, the indicators from people who covered the team kept insisting it would be an offensive tackle. Sure enough, the Bears went with Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright. This time around, the most popular name mentioned is Washington receiver Rome Odunze. Yet the name popping up among those with connections to the organization is Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy.

Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron first started dropping hints over a week ago. He was soon joined by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, who did a complete profile on Murphy. The fact he did it mere days before the draft feels like more than a coincidence. Now, the national guys are getting involved. Ian Rapoport brought it up in his latest column for NFL.com.

"Pass-rushing prospect Dallas Turner leads his tally, and Rapoport adds that the Atlanta Falcons (No. 8) and Chicago Bears (No. 9) could potentially make the Alabama product a top-10 pick. Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, who's been receiving comparisons to Aaron Donald, could also crack the top 10, according to Rapoport, while Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell, UCLA edge Laiatu Latu, Florida State edge Jared Verse and Alabama CB Terrion Arnold also remain as candidates for being the first defender taken come Thursday night."

Rapoport isn't alone. Albert Breer of the MMQB said much the same thing during his own draft article. If the Bears stay at #9, Murphy is likely their preferred defensive option if they go that route.

"So if one of the top three receivers slide to Chicago, DJ Moore and Keenan Allen could get a running mate. If not? Maybe an offensive lineman or Texas 3-technique Byron Murphy II."

The Bears' interest in Byron Murphy isn't hard to understand.

Sources have told SM that the rumors are "legit." Much of the decision depends on who is available when they're on the clock. If one of the top-rated offensive players somehow drops, it may compel Poles to give Caleb Williams more help. However, it appears the preference for the Bears is trading down to collect more picks. Doing so would mean they likely end up taking a defensive player. Most projections have Murphy going somewhere in the top 20. Matt Eberflus has said for years that the interior pass rusher is the engine that drives his defensive scheme. Finding one is critical to getting the most from it.

Chicago has made a significant effort to solve the problem since 2022. Larry Ogunjobi failed his physical. Justin Jones was solid but nothing special. Gervon Dexter isn't a natural fit for that role, and Zacch Pickens has more development to do. They need a difference-maker. Byron Murphy is widely considered the best defensive tackle in this class. He's explosive, quick, violent, and has surprising lower body strength. His skill set was tailor-made for a three-technique role, provided the Bears could look past his shorter 6'0 frame.