This past April, the Green Bay Packers broke a 23-year streak of failing to select a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL draft, taking Matthew Golden with the 23rd overall pick.
Naturally, the former Texas Longhorn is expected to make an immediate impact and could very well end up being Jordan Love's top target as the 2025 season progresses. But Golden certainly isn't the only first-round pick on the Packers' roster hoping to break out this year.
In 2024, Green Bay used its first-round pick to bolster the offensive line, selecting Arizona tackle Jordan Morgan at No. 25 overall. And while the Tucson native played decently at times after switching positions, overall, he had an underwhelming rookie campaign, one that came to an early end as a nagging shoulder injury landed him on injured reserve in mid-November.
But that all seems to be behind Morgan heading into training camp, and the soon-to-be 24-year-old could be poised to take a big step forward this season.
Jordan Morgan could steal a spot in the starting lineup with a strong training camp
A season ago, Morgan appeared in six games, five as a rotational player at right guard and getting a single start at left guard.
Overall, he took 186 snaps (120 at right guard, 65 at left guard, one at tight end) and allowed just seven pressures across 104 pass-blocking snaps, giving up four hurries and three QB hits but zero sacks. He also committed just one holding penalty en route to earning a 59.2 overall PFF grade, which only ranked 78th among 136 eligible guards but fourth among all rookies who took at least 100 snaps at guard.
So, there were some positives. And with a strong training camp, a healthy Morgan could crack the starting lineup. And that could happen in one of two places.
The Packers, of course, have done some reshuffling on the offensive line, signing Aaron Banks to take over at left guard, with Elgton Jenkins sliding over to center. Zach Tom is clearly the guy at right tackle, but head coach Matt LaFleur and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich seemingly aren't completely set on Sean Rhyan at right guard or Rasheed Walker at left tackle.
And while Morgan is currently listed on the depth chart as Rhyan's backup at right guard, which is where he could very well end up, Stenavich has already confirmed that he'll get a shot to return to his natural position by competing for the starting spot at left tackle.
"The one thing about him is he has elite athleticism," Stenavich said about Morgan back in May. "The guy moves well. He's fast. He can redirect. I think now is a just good time to put him (at left tackle) and see how he does and just watch him compete."
"We're trying to find who our best five are, however it shakes out," Stenavich added. "Left tackle. Right tackle. Obviously, the right guard position."
PFF seems to believe Morgan could thrive at right guard, even going so far as to include him on their 2025 NFL All-Breakout Team at the position.
It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out, but Morgan has the strength, size, and athleticism to be a genuine star in this league when healthy. Now, it's just time for him to prove it.