The Green Bay Packers will never change.
Every year, there is a prospect the fans love. Draft analysts have that player going to Green Bay in their final mock drafts. Last year, it was Jaxon Smith-Njgba. This time, it was Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean.
Like with Smith-Njigba, DeJean was available for the Packers when they hit the clock. General manager Brian Gutekunst went in another direction, selecting athletic offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, addressing another area of need at a premium position.
There are questions. Can Morgan play at tackle, or will he move inside? Does it change Zach Tom's position?
Morgan is a great fit for the Packers and their interest is unsurprising, but it doesn't change the reaction of the fanbase. With DeJean and Graham Barton sitting there, the fans are understandably frustrated to miss out.
Packers fans are furious after Jordan Morgan pick in Round 1
Death, taxes, and the Packers upsetting the fans in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. It was the same story when they drafted Lukas Van Ness last year or Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt in 2022. The DeJean dream is over, and while fans understand Morgan's talent and potential, many are wondering whether the Packers made the right choice.
Jordan Morgan with Barton and DeJean on the clock is the most diabolical pick Gutey could have made. Put it this way, I’m unhappy
— Austin Krueger (@AustinKrueger_) April 26, 2024
If you’re going to take an offensive lineman and Graham Barton is available, don’t you take him? That pick is befuddling.
— Cory Jennerjohn (@CoryJennerjohn) April 26, 2024
Jordan Morgan is everything the #Packers look for in an offensive lineman...
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) April 26, 2024
And I'm still stunned.
Not sure how you pass on DeJean or Kool-Aid there.
If he doesn’t start this season, I hate the pick. The Packers are a Jaire injury away from being Gunter and Randall at CB. Plenty of picks left, but not a fan of possible backup OL with that pick.
— Titletown Chatter (@TitletownChat) April 26, 2024
I don’t dislike Jordan Morgan. I think he can be a good starting guard.
— Jacob (@NotionsOfJacob) April 26, 2024
But my god, to pass up DeJean and Barton for him is beyond baffling.
It all comes down to how the Packers see Morgan fitting in. If they believe he can be a starting tackle, it makes more sense. Banking on a college left tackle to switch to right guard when an immediate difference-maker like DeJean was available is hard to get on board with.
But there's no doubting Morgan's talent, and the Packers desperately needed offensive line help after losing David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, and Yosh Nijman this offseason.
Much like when Green Bay took Josh Myers over Creed Humphrey, Morgan will be compared to DeJean and Barton. Hopefully, the Packers got it right.