JUST IN: Jordan Morgan seems to be leaving after rejecting to extend his contract deal with Arizona Cardinals today….

One of the top tackles available in this year’s draft is the Arizona product.

The biggest need on the current roster of the New England Patriots is at offensive lineman, barring injuries to the quarterback position. After all, the squad lacks a reliable starter on the left side and may be looking for someone to take over that critical position from the opening of the lineup.

Fortunately for New England, a couple of guys selected in this year’s draft could accomplish precisely that. Jordan Morgan, a fringe first-round pick, is among them.

41 games (37 starts) | 2,404 offensive plays, 125 plays on special teams; 69 quarterback pressures (10 sacks, 11 hits, 48 hurries) allowed

Awards: Honorable mention All-Pac 12 (2022), first-team All-Pac 12 (2023)

During his tenure at his hometown of Marana High School in Arizona, Morgan played both offensive and defensive lines. He continued his college career within the state. The three-star prospect enrolled at the University of Arizona in 2019 and played in six games, starting two at left tackle, as a true freshman. It was a portent of future events.

He added 35 additional starts to his total throughout the next four years, all of which came while playing left tackle for the Wildcats. In the process, he not only gained experience but steadily become better as a whole player. He was selected to the first All-Pac 12 team and was one of the top performers at his position in collegiate football by the time of his 2023 year. After his senior year at Arizona, he received invitations to the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.

Morgan is a talented offensive lineman prospect that possesses strong pass-protection and run-blocking skills. It is easy to understand why. In addition to having a strong build and decent frame, he also has exceptional technical toolkit, superb footwork, and explosiveness when he explodes out of his stance.

He has a strong kick slide and moves quickly, wasting little steps. This enables him to quickly recover and respond to counter and deception moves by his opponent in addition to mirroring opposing pass rushers. Additionally, he has demonstrated strong balance, a broad, robust base to absorb power surges, and aggressive, accurate use of his large hands He can quickly disarm pass rushers and has good 95 percentile mitts.

Morgan has demonstrated a sense for leverage in both his pass and run blocking roles. As a zone blocker and in the screen game, he can move swiftly to reach his target areas and performs incredibly well when mobile. He can easily ascend to the second level with little difficulty, and when he charges at defenders in open territory, he is ruthless. In addition, he has the necessary core strength to move opponents’ bodies during hat-on-hat blocking.