Among the recent Minnesota Vikings rumors is a note about how the team reportedly has "a lot of interest" in former Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II.
With the Minnesota Vikings currently set to begin this year's NFL Draft with the No. 11 pick in the first round, much of the speculation around who they might select with their top pick has been centered around the quarterback position.
However, the Vikings have plenty of other roster improvements that need to be made before the 2024 season, especially when it comes to their defensive line.
Currently, Harrison Phillips, Jaquelin Roy, and Dean Lowry are the only defensive linemen under contract for Minnesota through the 2024 campaign. The Vikings not only need to add more depth to this position group, but they need to improve its overall talent level as well.
Vikings Rumors: Minnesota has "a lot of interest" in former Texas DT Byron Murphy II
This week, multiple members of the Vikings, including general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell, are in Mobile, Alabama, for this year's Senior Bowl.
The annual event is unofficially the start of draft season each year as it gives teams the opportunity to get a closer look at some of the prospects that will be available in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Former Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II was expected to be a participant in the 2024 Senior Bowl festivities, but he backed out shortly before the event began this year.
Despite his non-participation, rumors about Murphy have still been spreading in Mobile. According to Sportskeeda.com's Tony Pauline, Minnesota is reportedly one of the NFL teams that has "a lot of interest" in the former Texas defensive tackle.
The 6-foot-1, 297-pound defensive lineman spent all three of his seasons in college football at the University of Texas, and he's only 21 years old. In 14 games for the Longhorns in 2023, he accumulated 29 tackles (8.5 for a loss) and five sacks.
Currently, Murphy is projected to be a mid to late first-round pick in the 2024 draft, so he should be on the board still when it comes time for the Vikings to make their first selection with Pick No. 11.
Obviously, things could change in the next few months, and his draft stock could rise or fall depending on how he performs during his Pro Day and during the NFL Scouting Combine.
But as it stands right now, Murphy should be available for Minnesota to add to their roster if they believe he's worthy of being taken off the board with the No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft.