20. Pittsburgh Steelers: IOL Graham Barton, Duke
The Steelers turn their attention to the trenches, locking up Graham Barton. The Duke product has position flexibility and is smooth in pass protection with a combination of balance and body control. He is an explosive drive blocker with core strength and is smooth working as a climber in space. Barton plays with high effort on every play and will add another dimension to the Steelers’ line.
21. Miami Dolphins: DL Byron Murphy, Texas
With several offensive linemen off the board, the Dolphins select Byron Murphy. Murphy has a rare first step and generated immediate penetration against guards/centers in 2023. In his first season as a starter for the Longhorns, Murphy accumulated a team-best 45 pressures and ranked first among all FBS interior defensive linemen in pass-rush win percentage (19.6). He fires off the ball and has solid lateral movement skills. Murphy is able to generate vertical push by getting skinny and slipping through gaps. He will bolster the Dolphins’ frontline.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Jason Kelce retired, and the Eagles fortify the interior of their offensive line by finding his replacement in Jackson Powers-Johnson. In 2023, Powers-Johnson became the fifth unanimous All-American selection in school history and the first-ever Pac-12 player to win the Rimington Award. He plays with a mean, competitive disposition and moves defenders back with a powerful upper body. Powers-Johnson possesses excellent initial quickness in pass protection and can uproot defensive tackles in the run game. He will help reinforce the Eagles’ frontline around Jalen Hurts and will help kickstart their ground attack.
23. Minnesota Vikings (From Houston): DL Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
After snagging a quarterback early in the draft, the Vikings look to the other side of the football at pick 23 with Jer’Zhan Newton. Newton combined for 103 pressures over the previous two seasons – the most by any FBS interior lineman. Newton routinely collapses the pocket with a quick get-off and is one of the most nuanced pass rushers of the 2024 class. The two-time All-American generates penetration with agility and comes prepared with counter moves to employ. He may not have the size or length for NFL defensive tackle standards, but Newton pairs elite quickness with violent hands.
24. Dallas Cowboys: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
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