Former NFL Scout Not Sold on Jordan Morgan

One of the names I keep hearing mentioned in the 2024 NFL Draft class is Arizona’s left tackle (LT) Jordan Morgan. So, I put on the tape to find out what he looked like in 2022.

His season was cut short that year on Nov. 13 due to a torn ACL.

Before the start of the 2023 season, UA coach Jedd Fisch said in SBNation, “There’s plenty of areas where he can improve. [Morgan] can improve the way he sets in the pass game, for wide pass rushers. He can improve in finishing blocks in the zone running game. He can improve on, let’s call it a consistency of 67 plays. That comes down to conditioning, that comes down to mental toughness, that comes down to recognition of defensive fronts. And that’s where I think he’ll really grow over the course of this year.”

It’s a candid assessment by Morgan’s head coach because that’s pretty much what showed up on tape.

Pass protection

Left tackle is the premium position in the NFL, especially for teams with a right-handed quarterback (QB). These are the bodyguards who protect the QB’s blindside.

The big things to look for when searching for a franchise LT are lateral footspeed and footwork. Hand placement is important too.

Morgan sure looks the part with his uber-athletic frame and raw weight room strength. He initially demonstrates a fast first step setting up and shows he can maintain a nice wide while controlling blocks in the shallow depths of the pocket.

The two big concerns are an average anchor when challenged by bull rushes and even more than that, the glaring tendency to stop moving his feet at the back door of the pocket while getting turned and losing blocking leverage. Granted, Morgan compensates with a high effort level.

Run blocking

Morgan tends to stay off the ground. He does a lot of finesse run blocking while showing an occasional mean streak.

He also demonstrates his raw strength while aggressively pushing and shoving defenders.

Morgan is inconsistent in sustaining his run blocks in this department. Sometimes he does just enough and sometimes it’s not enough. Now and again, he will get after it and do a good job controlling a block until the whistle blows. So, it’s in him to do better.

This Arizona offensive tackle is naturally fast, so getting out to the second level and into space isn’t an issue. The only issue is consistently hitting the targets.

Perfect developmental tackle

I can’t see Morgan successfully starting in the NFL based on what I saw on his 2022 film.

A lot will come down to when I circle back and look at him post-injury on his 2023 tape.

At this point, he looks like a solid backup who needs a good offensive line coach and a lot of practice reps in the pros.

#77 Jordan Morgan 6-foot-5, 325 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: Third-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 29.1% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 10, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and USC (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: PFF gave Morgan, who was the top-rated offensive tackle in the Pac-12 last season, a grade of 83.1, which ranks third behind Notre Dame’s Joe Alt (91.4) and Duke’s Graham Barton (88.2). 

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Top-heavy high-cut tackle with long arms and good natural weight room strength. Sets up initially very well and looks the part. Sometimes his hands are inside at the point of attack. At other times hands are outside. Controls the point of attack in the shallow depths of the pocket. Inconsistent against spin moves and delayed blitzes. Excellent handling “X” stunts. Inconsistent sustain while run blocking. Inconsistent at the second level and in space. Tends to release too early. A little lazy run-blocking at times.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. How does he look coming back from a torn ACL?

2. Sliding his feet at the back door of the pocket in pass protection?

3. How does he look vs. blitzes?

4. Sustaining run blocks?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.