Texas DL Byron Murphy II is Vikings Reported ‘Contingency Plan’ at Top of Draft

According to NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline (Sportskeeda), the Minnesota Vikings are still intrigued by Texas defensive line prospect Byron Murphy II. Not only are they intrigued by him, though. Pauline reports that their “contingency plan”, should they fail to land a QB at the top of round one, is to pivot to interior defensive lineman, Byron Murphy II, out of Texas.

“Defensive tackle Byron Murphy, looking like Mr. Universe as he worked out shirtless, looked terrific in drills, just as he did during the combine. The Bears, Falcons, Colts, and Vikings met with Murphy the last two days.

Word since the Shrine Bowl was that the Vikings would take Murphy with the 11th pick. Obviously the focus has shifted to the quarterback position. Yet the feeling they were giving off at pro day is that Murphy would be their contingency plan at 11 if no signal caller is available.”

Tony Pauline on Minnesota Vikings’ interest in Byron Murphy (Sportskeeda)

Widely regarded as the best interior defender in the 2024 NFL Draft class, this isn’t the first time the Vikings have been linked to the pass-rushing stalwart. But this is the first time we’ve heard it since they’ve lost Kirk Cousins and the first time since they’ve acquired a second first-round pick.

If their preferred quarterbacks are gone at 11, why not shore up an area of the defense that has long been lacking? Not to mention, passing on a QB at 11 doesn’t mean they’re punting at the position altogether. There’s always coming back to someone like Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix later on, possibly even at 23.