NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears’ weekend at the NFL Draft might have left some puzzled by their early-round selections, but all things considered, taking a flier on this late-round sleeper might make the most sense of the team’s weekend picks.
I’m talking, of course, about the Bears fifth-round pick and new offensive lineman, Jordan Morgan.
Even though the Bears had a need to draft a tackle, they didn’t pluck one earlier in the draft. Instead, the team chose a four-year starting left tackle who the team projects to move inside. It’s not as if the Bears had a need for a starting interior lineman, but adding depth and upside at a minor cost and with minimal risk is what fifth-round picks are all about.
Here is what Pro Football Focus’ Jordan Plocher had to say about the Bears’ newest addition:
“Morgan is a small-school player who received a Senior Bowl invite and played well in Mobile. Morgan didn’t allow a sack, only one QB hit, and one hurry on his 22 pass-blocking snaps in the Senior Bowl, showing he can compete at the highest levels.”
As it turns out, Morgan was the only player coached by the Bears at the Senior Bowl who ended up drafted by the team.
THE PICK (ROUND 5, PICK 147)
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
HIGHLIGHTS
NFL COMBINE RESULTS
THREE STRENGTHS
THREE WEAKNESSES
NFL.COM COMPARISON: Hugh Thornton
WHERE MORGAN FITS
The middle of the Bears’ line is starting to get a bit crowded. In addition to starters Josh Sitton, Cody Whitehair, and Kyle Long, the Bears also have reserves Eric Kush, Tom Compton, and Taylor Boggs in the fold. Adding Morgan to the mix helps depth, but also creates in-camp competition for the summer.
Like most late-round offensive line prospects, Morgan will have to work his way up from the bottom of the depth chart. He probably won’t be of much help this year or next unless the team gets wrecked by injuries. However, he could work his way into a starting role by his third year if he meets the expectations of his projections. By then, both of the Bears’ starting guards will be in their 30s. If Morgan develops ahead of schedule, perhaps moving him into the middle of the line and pushing Long or Whitehair out to tackle would make for a logical step.
NFL DRAFT VIDEO PROFILE
