Packers draft Jordan Morgan in Round 1: Instant grade and analysis
On an evening when the NFC North gained two new quarterbacks and a potential star wide receiver, the Green Bay Packers responded by getting some help for Jordan Love.
The Packers are selecting Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
General manager Brian Gutekunst ignored all of those mock drafts sending Cooper DeJean to Green Bay at No. 25. DeJean was on the board, but the Packers have instead chosen to upgrade their offensive line.
They also passed on versatile offensive lineman Graham Barton, who surprisingly remained available when the Packers hit the clock.
Packers Draft Grades: Jordan Morgan is an underwhelming but solid choice
Grade: B
Packers fans will hate it because Cooper DeJean was available, but it makes sense to target an offensive lineman in the first round. Jordan Love proved he is the future of this franchise. Now, they need to protect him.
Morgan was considered a potential Day 2 target, but Green Bay doesn't care about that. It got its target in the opening round. And Morgan is a classic Packers pick. He meets their strict size and athletic thresholds, offers positional versatility, and can start from Day 1 along the offensive line.
The Arizona product has an elite Relative Athletic Score of 9.24 and is one of the best pass-protecting linemen in the class. It's no surprise the Packers had interest.
The question is where will Morgan play?
Despite playing at left tackle during his time at Arizona, many believe Morgan's best fit in the NFL will be at an interior position. Could he move to right guard to compete with Sean Rhyan?
It has been an eventful start to the draft, especially for the NFC North. Before the Packers hit the clock, the Chicago Bears significantly upgraded their offense by selecting quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.
The Minnesota Vikings then traded up for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Green Bay will go up against two rookie passers this season.
The Packers have now played their part in protecting Love.