Thursday, April 1, 2010
Player Spotlight: Derrick Morgan
11:35 AM | 
Posted by
Eric
Derrick Morgan is not likely to fall to the Bengals, but if he did would be a steal and I'd be for taking him over anyone else that could possibly be there. If players are of similiar value I'll take the one that's on the D line or O line every time. Morgan is the most complete Defensive End in this draft class. There is debate whether Jason Pierre-Paul or Morgan is the top rated DE. Pierre-Paul has unique physical skills and may have more upside as a pass rusher, but Morgan is ready to make an impact right now and is a for sure 3 down player. I'll take the every down player of a possible situational pass rusher with upside.
Morgan is a great pass rusher, he gets off the line quick and has excellent short area quickness. He has multiple moves he has mastered to get to the QB. He explodes when he comes off the line and is very good at getting a jump on the snap. He's got the ability to blow by the O lineman before he's set or able to get a hand on him. Morgan has very good size and is a good fit as a 4-3 DE. He has thick power legs and long arms. He plays with a low center of gravity and uses that leverage to beat his opponent. He was moved around the line in college and has the ablility to play both end spots adding to his value.
Against the run he is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier. He moves very well for his size, laterally and with straight line speed. He can locate and sniff out the play at an elite level and has a very high motor. Morgan does a nice job of using those long arms to keep blockers off him and if he does get engaged he sheds blocks very well. He gets very good penetration and had an amazing 27 tackles for loss in the last 2 years. His form in tackling is excellent. Against double teams he has very good ability to hold his ground.
There are few negatives but some have to be reported on every player and honestly these are a bit of a stretch to list something. His hips get tight at times and sometimes his feet don't move as quickly as his body causing him to get off balance at times. Against top tier competition he did have some trouble getting off blocks which could be a cause for some concern. Overall I'd say his balance is his biggest issue but more often than not he has great balance.
Morgan is as close as you can get to a complete DE as a draft prospect. No one in this class comes close to his level of being a complete DE. He has the protypical size and all the skills to go with being an elite DE. Look for Morgan to go to multiple Pro Bowls.
Morgan is a great pass rusher, he gets off the line quick and has excellent short area quickness. He has multiple moves he has mastered to get to the QB. He explodes when he comes off the line and is very good at getting a jump on the snap. He's got the ability to blow by the O lineman before he's set or able to get a hand on him. Morgan has very good size and is a good fit as a 4-3 DE. He has thick power legs and long arms. He plays with a low center of gravity and uses that leverage to beat his opponent. He was moved around the line in college and has the ablility to play both end spots adding to his value.
Against the run he is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier. He moves very well for his size, laterally and with straight line speed. He can locate and sniff out the play at an elite level and has a very high motor. Morgan does a nice job of using those long arms to keep blockers off him and if he does get engaged he sheds blocks very well. He gets very good penetration and had an amazing 27 tackles for loss in the last 2 years. His form in tackling is excellent. Against double teams he has very good ability to hold his ground.
There are few negatives but some have to be reported on every player and honestly these are a bit of a stretch to list something. His hips get tight at times and sometimes his feet don't move as quickly as his body causing him to get off balance at times. Against top tier competition he did have some trouble getting off blocks which could be a cause for some concern. Overall I'd say his balance is his biggest issue but more often than not he has great balance.
Morgan is as close as you can get to a complete DE as a draft prospect. No one in this class comes close to his level of being a complete DE. He has the protypical size and all the skills to go with being an elite DE. Look for Morgan to go to multiple Pro Bowls.
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