With the NFL Draft in Detroit roughly three months out, Arizona Wildcats left tackle Jordan Morgan is projected as a first-round pick — and the Marana native could land with a popular team in the Old Pueblo.
In Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock draft on NFL.com, Morgan is projected to go No. 24 overall in the first round to the Dallas Cowboys. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper also has the Cowboys drafting Morgan with the 24th pick.
"Morgan is one of my favorite pass-protectors in this class," Kiper wrote. "I love the way he moves his feet and handles twists and stunts. He started 35 games at left tackle in college, which would make him a perfect fit to replace Tyron Smith."
The 33-year-old Smith, a longtime Cowboy and eight-time Pro Bowler, is entering free agency this offseason and Dallas could be in the market for a new starting tackle.
Kiper also had Morgan as a late first-round pick in the middle of Arizona's 10-3 season in 2023.
“Morgan is extremely consistent from snap to snap," Kiper wrote then. "His footwork is terrific in pass protection, and I love his ease of movement and ability to bend. Morgan stays active with his hands, and he can get to the next level on combo blocks. He handles twists really well and can deal with inside and outside moves with ease.”
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com predicts Morgan to be selected by the Arizona Cardinals at No. 27.
"Morgan is a gritty player with the potential to fill a role on the interior or outside at tackle," Brooks wrote in his review.
Morgan generated NFL Draft buzz last season but suffered a season-ending knee injury in Arizona’s upset win at UCLA. His stock took a hit and he was unable to perform at the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis or in Arizona’s Pro Day. Morgan opted to return for his final season of eligibility and became an All-Pac-12 first-team and Associated Press All-Pac-12 first-team honors, before opting out of the Wildcats' win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. The 6-5, 325-pound Morgan started all 12 regular-season games and only allowed two sacks in 787 snaps.
Morgan had the eighth-best pass-blocking grade (86.2) in college football for tackles with at least 700 snaps played, according to Pro Football Focus.
Morgan could become the next Tucson-area prospect taken in the first round. In April, the Atlanta Falcons selected Tucson-raised running back and former Salpointe Catholic star Bijan Robinson at No. 8 overall. Robinson, offensive lineman John Fina and defensive lineman Mike Dawson are the only Tucson NFL first-rounders. Fina, who was drafted in 1992, is the last UA offensive lineman taken in the first round. Morgan will become the first UA offensive lineman drafted since Eben Britton in 2009.
Morgan is expected to attend the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis from Feb. 27-March 4.
Morgan, wide receiver Jacob Cowing and tight end Tanner McLachlan will play in the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3 in Mobile, Alabama at 11 a.m. on NFL Network.
