The Green Bay Packers could have selected Cooper DeJean or Graham Barton. The team had the option to trade down, as well. Instead, Brian Gutekunst's option was to select versatile offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, from Arizona, with the 25th overall pick.
Making his TV debut, former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had strongly positive words about the pick. On the Pat McAfee Show, the legendary coach said he likes Morgan and sees him as a left tackle in the NFL.
"Morgan is a left tackle all the way. He tore his ACL and then came back and played his senior year at Arizona last year for Jeff Fisch," Belichick said. "Jordan is a high-quality kid, very smart, good pass protector, very athletic. He's a good football player, he is a left tackle. So, I don't think there's any doubt about that. He needs to get a little bit stronger in the lower body, but this is a good football player, he's got a good future."
Positional versatility
Jordan Morgan was exclusively a left tackle in college, so there is a possibility that he keeps playing there in the NFL. However, he has short arms for the position — it's rare for players under 33-inch arms to play tackle. That would put Morgan in position to potentially start at right guard for the Packers, at least initially, and then eventually fight for a tackle job.
"It was remarkable how well he played early in the season coming off (the injury)," Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said after the selection. "(He) just kept getting better and better so that gives us a lot of confidence for where he's headed."
The Packers showed how much they value quarterback Jordan Love, and selecting Morgan was a way to make sure the franchise player is as safe as possible.
"If you can protect your quarterback, particularly one like we have, you have a chance to win the football game," Gutekunst added.
Belichick's future
After leaving the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick interviewed twice for the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job, but the team decided to hire Raheem Morris instead. So, Belichick will spend the 2024 season out of football.
During this off year, Belichick won't be off after all. He decided to explore TV opportunities and signed a deal with Peyton Manning's Ohama Productions, an ESPN partner. Belichick will make appearances on the Pat McAfee Show every Monday during the season. He is also expected to be a regular guest on the ManningCast, the Peyton and Eli Manning alternative Monday Night Football broadcast.
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