2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Benjamin Morrison

Strengths

• Scheme Versatile: Morrison has the ideal frame for today's NFL and shows the ability to excel in zone-heavy schemes, where he can leverage his football IQ to diagnose plays, as well as in man-heavy schemes, where his strong punch and mirroring skills will benefit him greatly.
• Ball Skills: Morrison has a nose for the football. He led the team in interceptions in 2022 (6) and passes defended in 2023 (10).
• Physicality: Morrison is a willing and eager run defender who can set the edge and work through blockers to be a net-positive in the run game.

Weaknesses

• Hip Injury: Without the medicals available that NFL teams have, we amateur scouts have to raise concerns about Morrison's hip injury and its long-term impact. It's a mystery how this will affect his draft stock.
• Inconsistent Tackling: Morrison's 16.2% missed tackle rate isn't overly concerning, but his technique will need refining at the next level (especially in the slot).
• Greedy: Sometimes, he can rely too much on his athleticism and get caught cheating in zone coverage. He tries to jump routes and can occasionally give up big plays behind him.

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Benjamin Morrison

Benjamin Morrison entered the 2024 season with projections of being a top-15 pick in the draft, but a hip injury sustained in October has raised questions about his draft stock this year.

Injury aside (and that's a significant omission considering how imperative hip fluidity is for cornerbacks), Morrison's tape is some of the cleanest in this year's class. He's a technically sound defensive back who rarely struggled regardless of the amount of responsibility Notre Dame put on his plate. He played slot corner, boundary corner, zone coverage, and press man coverage for the Fighting Irish and did so at a high level throughout his collegiate career.

Though Morrison might lack the ideal frame that Dennis Allen looks for in defensive backs, he's a name to watch in the second round. His game is similar to Michigan's Will Johnson, and both players would complement Jaylon Johnson's playstyle phenomenally in Dennis Allen's heavy Cover-1 / Cover-3 scheme.

The hip injury is a giant wild card, though. We don't have access to the information NFL teams possess, but if Morrison is healthy (the hip injury being the first significant injury of his career), he could be a draft steal if he falls on Day 2. He reminds me of Kyle Fuller in physical makeup and extenuating circumstances. Fuller had groin surgery during his final year at Virginia Tech, which had many teams questioning if he'd fall out of the first round, but his talent made him a top-15 pick by the Bears. Morrison has a similar upside.

Pro Comp: Stephon Gilmore

Up Next: Damien Martinez