One of the biggest surprises for me in the Chiefs’ recent draft class was the selection of SS DaJuan Morgan (N.C. State). While our current starter at that spot (Bernard Pollard) obviously had some issues last season, especially in pass coverage, I was a bit shocked that the Chiefs front office would choose to go after a player in that position, especially given the Chiefs definite need at several other spots and the youth already present in the aforementioned Pollard and his running mate Jarrod Page.
That being said, this pick has really grown on me over the past two weeks since the draft finished up, and I’m extremely excited to see what Morgan can do to help this team out on both defense and special teams. He is an extremely gifted tackler and is equally capable in pass coverage, as he turns his hips to run with receivers much quicker and smoother than Pollard does. Those two characteristics alone could push him into some playing time right from the start, and at the very least he’ll be a starter on the kick coverage team as a gunner from day one.
One of my favorite quotes from the Chiefs brass during their press conferences after each round of the draft came from the Chiefs Vice President of Player Personne, Bill Kuharich, when they sat down to discuss the Chiefs’ third round selections:
“The safety is just too good a value to pass up. Herm spotted him (Morgan) a year ago when we watching N.C. State tape and number seven just kept showing up.”
While that may or may not mean much to you, it tells me that Morgan is an impact player anytime he lines up on the field. Instead of just being content to make plays as they come to him, Morgan finds the ball and goes after it with a vengeance, not stopping until he levels the ball carrier into the ground. He is a punishing defender that plays an in-your-face style of football, and that is exactly the kind of player Herm Edwards is trying to stockpile in KC.
The best part about the Chiefs selection of Morgan in round three was the incredible value Morgan brought to the Chiefs overall draft class. Prior to the draft, I personally had Morgan ranked as my #2 safety on the board, just barely behind the 31st overall pick, SS Kenny Phillips (Miami). At the very worst, he should have been drafted near the middle of round two. Yet due to the incredible depth and talent available in the draft, the Chiefs were able to stick to their board and draft Morgan late in the 3rd round, gaining an versatile and extremely skilled safety at a spot that is usually the beginning of the end for starting caliber players.
I’m really excited to see Morgan hit the field this fall for the Chiefs, especially on special teams, as I think he could team up with Pollard to form one of the most fearsome punt/field goal blocking tandems in the entire league. They both have excellent quickness and the agility to throw their bodies in at the punter/kicker at awkward angles to get a hand on the football. Pollard has already shown himself to be a solid contributor for the Chiefs in this regard, and hopefully, Morgan will too.
If you haven’t had a chance to see him do his thing in person, feel free to check out his highlight film, courtesy of Rivals.com.
Get to know him quick Chiefs fans, because you’re going to be cheering his name often this fall after he delivers play after play after play for both our defense and special teams. After it’s all said and done, the Chiefs are going to look like geniuses when Morgan is playing at a Pro Bowl caliber level, and I’m looking forward to seeing him do it day in and day out for the team very soon.
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