The Green Bay Packers selected offensive lineman Jordan Morgan in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Packers prefer to employ players who can play multiple spots along the offensive line in order to have the best five players on the field as starters. While there was some initial uncertainty as to where Morgan would fit in the lineup as a rookie, after one week of training camp, we appear to have an answer.

Packers First Round Pick Jordan Morgan Competing at Guard: Before Training Camp

GM Brian Gutekunst chose Morgan with the 25th overall pick in this year’s draft. The Arizona alum played left tackle in college, starting 37 games there over five seasons. Still, many scouts felt that in the NFL, Morgan would be better suited to playing guard because of his arm length. He measured 32 7/8 inches, was a bit shorter than the ideal length for an NFL left tackle.

After the draft, the Packers announced they would start Morgan off at tackle, but they expected to cross train him at different positions along the offensive line.

During OTAs and minicamp, Morgan took reps at every position along the offensive line except for center. It was still unclear where the team would primarily have him in the lineup. Clearly, the rookie had a lot to learn and had to adjust to playing in the NFL and possibly to a new position and a new side of the field.

Training Camp Begins

Now that we are one week into training camp, we have a better idea of where the coaches feel Morgan will fit in best. When you draft a player in the first round, you plan to have him play, even if he doesn’t start right away.

The offensive line has been limited by injuries and absences. Right tackle Zach Tom has not been a full participant in practice due to a torn pectoral muscle he suffered during the offseason. Over the weekend, center Josh Myers missed time for personal reasons. The offensive line has been shuffled around a bit at a result.

But Morgan has settled in at right guard, where he will likely battle third-year man Sean Rhyan for the starting job.

The Offensive Coordinator Speaks

Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich explained why the coaches chose to have Morgan compete at guard. “I think with that with young guys, you want to start them at a spot. You don’t want to move them around as much, just so they can hone-in on the techniques and the assignments and all that stuff,” Stenavich told reporters on Monday.

“And when you look at the big picture, where we think he would compete best this year for a starting role. We looked, and we thought the right guard position was the best spot. As of now, we’ll focus there. As he grasps it and gets better there, we can move him around if we want to. Or, he does a great job there and we’re good to go. Right now, we’re focusing on keeping him at one spot that way he can really hone in on it and be the best he can be.”

Obviously, it will take time for Morgan to learn the techniques the coaching staff is trying to teach him. How quickly he learns and adjusts will be a big factor as to whether or not he starts the season in the starting lineup.

Packers First Round Pick Jordan Morgan Competing at Guard: The Competition

Thus far, the coaching staff likes the potential Morgan shows. “He’s done good. He’s flashed some really good things,” Stenavich said. “There’s a lot of technique stuff he still needs to learn, just like any young offensive lineman. Especially with him going from tackle to guard, there’s a learning progression there that you just have to go through.”

The competition will primarily come from Rhyan. The third-year man out of UCLA has yet to start a game in his first two seasons in the league. Like Morgan, Rhyan was a tackle in college and was converted to guard in the NFL. He saw more playing time last season when starter Jon Runyan played through assorted injuries. Rhyan spelled Runyan as the two alternated series over the second half of the season.

Rhyan is considered a good run blocker, but he has struggled in pass protection. Obviously, the Packers place a premium on protecting Jordan Love.

This will be a battle to watch throughout training camp and the preseason. Right now, Morgan is primarily competing at right guard. We’ll see where his NFL career goes from here.

 

 

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

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