Packers pass up Cooper DeJean to take offensive piece they would obviously love

The Packers still managed to have a solid board at 25, and they finally went with a non-quarterback offensive player in the first round under Brian Gutekunst. With the 25th overall pick, the Packers took offensive tackle Jordan Morgan, from Arizona.

He is the second offensive player selected by Gutekunst in the first round, after the GM moved up in 2020 to take quarterback Jordan Love. Morgan is the first non-QB offensive player selected by the Packers in the first round since offensive lineman Derek Sherrod, in 2011.

Who Jordan Morgan is

Draft profile (Rob Gregson)

• Height/Weight: 6-5, 311
• Age: 22

Strengths

Efficiency: Smooth feet and buttery hips that allocate wins in deep pass sets and lengthened runs

Strike-Sustain: Textbook latch with the ability to drive a defender once hooked onto his pads

Pass Pro Technique: Shows a developed set of skills including leverage, strike timing, and footwork

Areas of Improvement-Concerns

Anchor: Loses depth of the pocket a little much. Likely due to his more angular frame

Awareness: Misses B gap pressures and loopers on occasion

Evaluation:

Jordan Morgan is what many teams covet from modern tackles, especially on the right side. A highly developed prospect that displays creative technique and functional athleticism, building upon his anchor will make him a solid starter for years in the NFL.

James Foster’s Latest Big Board Ranking:

46th overall, 4th ranked OG

Versatility

The big point in the selection is Jordan Morgan's versatility. At first, he might start at right guard from day 1. However, he has some potential to play tackle in the future, despite his relatively short arms.

He's an extremely athletic offensive lineman, and that's historically something they look for. 

RAS of Gutekunst's 1st-rounders:

• Jaire Alexander: 9.54
• Rashan Gary: 9.95
• Darnell Savage: 8.35
• Jordan Love: 8.46
• Eric Stokes: 9.38
• Quay Walker: 9.66
• Devonte Wyatt: 9.56
• Lukas Van Ness 9.39
• Jordan Morgan 9.24

Offensive line need

The Packers lost three offensive linemen in the offseason. They released David Bakhtiari, while Yosh Nijman and Jon Runyan signed elsewhere in free agency. What used to be a strength became a huge question mark.

The Packers are fine at tackle, since Zach Tom is an ascending star and Rasheed Walker is a capable starter. However, the depth was highly questionable — the backups are recently signed Andre Dillard, plus Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, and Kadeem Telfort, three developmental pieces.

Who could have been

With six quarterbacks in the first 12 picks and 14 offensive players to start the draft, the options were plentiful for the Packers.

According to the consensus big board, the best ones were cornerbacks Cooper DeJean, Nate Wiggins, and Kool-Aid McKinstry, offensive lineman Graham Barton, defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.

Top players available via consensus board when the Packers picked:

• DB Cooper DeJean
• CB Nate Wiggins
• OL Graham Barton
• CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
• DT Jer'Zhan Newton
• WR Adonai Mitchell
• OT Tyler Guyton
• C Jackson Powers-Johnson
• WR Xavier Worthy
• EDGE Darius Robinson
• WR Ladd McConkey
• OT Jordan Morgan