by J.T Toth
Photo courtesy of Arizona Desert Swarm.
At Draft 412, the NFL draft talk never ends. We will keep you ready for the next set of gridiron stars—from today and all the way until draft night 2024. We will bring you mock drafts, player profiles, individual team needs, and everything else you may need related to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Today’s Spotlight - Arizona, Tackle, Jordan Morgan
Name- Jordan Morgan
Pos- Tackle
Team- Arizona
HT/WT- 6’6” 320 lbs.
Born- N/A
Home – Marana, AZ
Morgan helped his Marana High School football team reach the state playoffs three straight seasons, playing on both sides of the ball. He was also on the track and field team as a shot put thrower in his off-season from football. He was named all-state in his senior season and committed to Arizona over other offers, including Northern Arizona and South Dakota State.
As a freshman in 2019, Morgan appeared in 6 games, including 2 starts at left tackle. He also appeared on special teams and played in reserve roles for the Wildcats as a true freshman. He started the first 2 games of the 2020 Covid shortened season before missing the last 3 due to injury. He missed the first game of 2021 due to an injury and then started the next 11 games at left tackle, becoming the lynchpin of Arizona’s offensive line.
Last season, Morgan started 10 games for Arizona and according to PFF he had the 33rd best pass blocking rating in the nation, and only allowed one sack in 670 total snaps as a left tackle.
Morgan has elite size and the frame to add more muscle and weight as he keeps learning how to play in his ever-growing body. Morgan was 6’5” 265 coming out of high school and has since added over 50 lbs and counting. He is light on his feet, possessing athleticism and quickness, allowing him to reach his blocking angles and match up against the best athletic edge rushers. His awareness of blitz schemes allows him to know where to help out teammates when needed. He plays with an edge in the run game and his initial contact is forceful with purpose. He won’t overcommit and most times, waits for the defender to come to him and make the first move. He has a strong lower body to drive opponents in the run game and to anchor back in pass blocking against the bullrush.
Jordan Morgan is still a bit raw and does not have the elite upper body strength that most left tackles in the NFL possess. He has the frame to add muscle and weight so scouts may not be as deterred. His initial punch, though forceful, misses its mark at times and he does not get control of the defensive player as he should. Most young tackles have a habit of playing too upright, but Morgan is the opposite and plays with too much bend and this causes him to get knocked off balance by larger opponents. At times, his bend will cause him to lower his head and lose eye contact with the defender.
Bernhard Raimann, a former 3rd round pick by Indianapolis in 2022 might be a good NFL comparison to Morgan. Raimann's athleticism and ability to add weight and muscle to a maturing frame were of interest to scouts, but he, like Morgan, lacked upper body strength and mechanics. Their scouting reports are nearly identical.
Strengths
Athletic
Football IQ
Run blocking/Angles
Size
Weaknesses
Leverage/Base
Mechanics
Plays with head down
Upper body strength
Final Analysis
Jordan Morgan has the two things you can’t teach—the size and athleticism to play in the NFL. But he needs to keep getting stronger. He is a tackle to keep an eye on in 2023 to see if he continues to progress.
Draft 412 Draft Prediction - Round 4 or 5 (with upside to move up)