The Green Bay Packers directly addressed two main areas of concern during the 2024 NFL Draft. Over 80% of their draft picks (9 of 11) were spent either on offensive line or defense. It has been widely regarded as a “smart draft.” Taking positions of need over flashy decisions that would get the media’s attention has been a Brian Gutekunst staple for years.
However, one draft pick has received some scrutiny from the public. That draft pick had some things to say about those critics.
Green Bay Packers First Round Draft Pick Fires Back About Criticisms
Offensive linemen, especially tackles, dominated the draft this year. Nine offensive linemen were selected in the first round, including Morgan, the seventh tackle.
Nevertheless, draft analysts question whether he should stick to tackle in the NFL. A certain physical prototype is generally desired by scouts when looking for tackles. Ideally, tackles’ arms should measure at least 34 inches. Morgan’s arms measure 32 7/8 inches. How much does an inch mean between staying up in the pocket and being sacked by a hard-charging defensive end? Morgan is confident that won’t matter:
“I get that a lot, the short arms stuff,” Morgan said at a Packers press availability. “It’s like, obviously you haven’t watched film. I mean I use them pretty well. I move people off the ball. (And) I pass protect really well, protect the quarterback, I mean see the stats. It doesn’t bother me. I’m just gonna prove everybody wrong.”
“I just didn’t care about arm length,” Morgan said. “I mean, I didn’t really think it was a big deal coming into college and hearing about it. They put me at left tackle, they thought I was a great left tackle, and sure enough I was.”
“I’m trying to show that I’m a true left tackle, show that I can be out there on the edge and protect the quarterback,” Morgan said.
“So my goal right now,” he said, “is to gain the trust of all the coaches, all the coaching staff, the players. Show everybody that I’m the player they think I am and I could pick this stuff up and be able to play.”
Jordan Morgan Will Have A Real Shot To Be A Long-Time Starter Right Away
Despite Cooper DeJean still being on the board at 25, the Packers decided to go with Jordan Love’s protection instead. The Packers will immediately ask Morgan, 22, to compete for a starting position along the offensive line.
Morgan since 2022: 880 pass-blocking snaps, 31 QB pressures allowed, 3 sacks allowed. His NFL Draft profile is impressive, to say the least:
Three-year starter who displayed his resilience and work ethic by coming back and playing good football after suffering a torn ACL late in the 2022 season. Morgan is both fluid and flexible in space, with the ability to help spring running plays with second-level blocks and play-side lead blocking.
He fails to secure back-side cutoffs too frequently, but improving his pad level and landmarks might fix that issue. His punch approach diminishes his pass protection length and causes him to lose connection at the top of the rush. He will need to get his hands and feet synced up in order to improve his balance and consistency against athletic rushers.
He’s a capable run blocker and pass protector, and he features projectable upside with more work. Morgan has the traits and talent to become a solid starting left tackle.
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