Detroit Lions 2016 NFL Draft Profile: David Morgan II
By Erik Schlitt
How David Morgan would fit in Detroit
Detroit has two tight ends on their roster who were drafted in the first round (Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew), so adding another tight end may not seem like a priority. However, adding a tight end with Morgan’s skill set is exactly what Detroit needs.
Most NFL offenses use a minimum of two capable tight ends and often three. Eric Ebron is the Lions move tight end who will be counted on to fill an important role in this season’s offense. His skill set locks down one of the tight end spots.
Brandon Pettigrew, who currently is expected to be the other starting tight end, is now 31 years old and like most 30+ year olds in the NFL, injuries are starting to become an issue. Coming off a 2015 season that ended on Injured Reserve because of an ACL injury, Pettigrew may not be fully recovered by the 2016 season. Pettigrew also has a $4,650,000 cap number, which is considered high for a player of his skill set. Assuming he is healthy and the Lions can live with his cap number (they can), the time is now to find his replacement.
David Morgan’s skill set is a perfect complement to Eric Ebron and I believe he could step in right away to be the number two tight end in this offense. Ideally, he would be drafted and only expected to be a third tight end this year, giving him a year to learn. Coming from a Pro Style offense and with four years experience, it won’t take long for him to pick up a NFL system. At a minimum, Morgan would be a first down chain mover, goal line contributor, red zone threat, and special teamer for the Lions in 2016, while being groomed to take over the number two spot in 2017.
Why I think the Lions will draft Morgan
I had a chance to talk with David Morgan a few weeks ago and he detailed his contact with the Detroit Lions for me.
Al Golden, the Lions new tight end coach, not only attended Morgan’s pro day, but Golden put Morgan through his workout drills. This allowed Golden to get an up close look at what Morgan’s skill set has to offer.
Golden also took Morgan out to dinner the night before and they discussed system fit and his game. Golden also divulged that Detroit was looking to add an old school type tight end in this draft class. They are looking for someone who can contribute on third downs, can step up into a starter role if injuries become an issue, and someone who can develop into a bigger role in the future. Check, check and check.
David Morgan is an ideal candidate for what the Lions need and what they appear to be looking for in the upcoming draft. The Patriots, Eagles, and Buccaneers are also doing some serious homework on Morgan but I believe the Lions are in a prime spot to add Morgan on day three of the draft.
Will he be drafted?
Most draft websites and draft “experts” think Morgan is worth drafting in the sixth or seventh round. His “slow” label will likely push him down draft boards. Pro Football Focus thinks so highly of Morgan that he was their only tight end to make their PFF Dream Team in 2015. Yet when it cam time to rank this years draft class, he is ranked as their 8th tight end because, “He drops down this far, though, because he looks like he’s running through mud. He ran a 5.02 40-yard dash at the combine and shows little ability to separate on routes.”
As I referred to earlier, people put too much stock into 40 times. PFF isn’t taking into account that Morgan gets his separation within 5-10 yards of the line of scrimmage. He is never going to blaze down the field like an Eric Ebron, and in Detroit he won’t have to. Morgan may be 8th on PFF’s board but as far as his fit in Detroit, I believe he is their #1 tight end target.
Now, that doesn’t mean I think they are targeting Morgan in the early rounds, but I think there is a spot for him on draft day. I asked local draft guru Jeff Risdon, where he thinks Morgan belongs and he said:
@erikschlitt probably 6th or 7th just because he's slow. I'd take him in the 5th
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) March 28, 2016
Think of who the Lions have taken in the fifth and sixth rounds in the last few drafts:
- 2015, 5th: Micheal Burton
- 2015, 6th: Quandre Diggs
- 2014, 5th: Caraun Reid
- 2014, 6th: TJ Jones
- 2013, 5th: Sam Martin
- 2013, 6th Theo Riddick
- 2012, 5th: Tahir Whitehead
Every one of these guys (except TJ Jones) have established themselves as starters or role players who see a significant amount of playing time as there experience has grown. I expect the same type of situation with David Morgan.
Next: Detroit Lions Draft 2016: Adding a Money Linebacker
I expect Morgan to be drafted this Saturday on day three of the NFL draft, and then play on Sunday’s for the next decade. So as the Lions approach picks 151, 169, 191, 202 and 210, don’t be surprised to see them add the University of Texas-San Antonio’s first ever draft pick: David Morgan.