Round 1, Pick 16 - Tennessee Titans - Derrick Morgan

Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

Ht:  6’ 3” Wt: 266

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The Titans were in desperate need of pass rush help.  Morgan was the most accomplished 4-3 defensive end available.  With his high motor and great character, he should be a welcomed addition to the team.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Is not flashy. More of an effort producer than a skill producer, but offers very intriguing versatility and is easily the safest defensive end in the draft because teams will be comforted knowing exactly what they are get- ting. Played above 280 pounds but weighed in at 266 at the Combine. Has unique potential to fit as an outside ’backer in a “30” front or bulk up and man the five-technique in a slanting, aggressive “30” front such as that of the Steelers, Ravens or Bills. Also could be a very effective left end in a “40” front; he even kicked inside in college and rushed from the inside at times. Has a motor that does not stop, and his best football is still ahead of him.

NFL projection: Top-15 pick

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Morgan is a junior who came out early for the 2010 NFL Draft and from everything I have seen he is ready to come in and be a contributing player as a rookie.  He is a very athletic defensive end with a rare combination of foot quicks, explosiveness, playing speed, very good size and playing strength.  He is the uncommon defensive end who has the tools to be effective as a defensive end in a 43 or 34 and could be very productive playing upright as a rush-linebacker in a 34.  While he does not have the rare edge explosiveness of a D. Freeney, he has better 1^st step quicks, burst and speed as an edge rusher than most NFL defensive ends and will be able to threaten the corner consistently in the NFL.  However, if he is going to become a top all around pass rusher he is going to have to improve his ability to dip shoulder in order to turn the corner more sharply when he beats the OT to the turn point. Overall, Morgan is going to be a Top 15 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and will become a very productive defender – Which of the positions he plays in the NFL will depend on what team he goes to, but I think he can be an All Pro player as either a DE in a 43 defense or as a rush-linebacker in a 34 scheme.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Morgan had one dominate season and ended it with only three tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in the high-profile matchup against Iowa’s legitimate NFL-caliber offense tackles in the Orange Bowl.  In a class of gargantuan defensive ends best fit for the 3-4 scheme and undersized ‘tweeners who lack the strength to consistently hold up at the edge in the 4-3, Morgan’s prototypical NFL frame, steady improvement and relative youth (turned 21 in January) is certain to intrigue scouts.  A very good player now, he’ll likely be selected in the top 10 in the 2010 draft because he’s just scratching the surface of his potential as a game changing right defensive end.

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

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