Green Bay Packers Offensive Tackle Jordan Morgan’s Struggles Raise Questions About First-Round Draft Decisions
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top roster builders, yet his first-round draft selections have often been questionable in recent years.
While his early picks like Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage, and Jordan Love were successful, Gutekunst’s more recent first-round choices haven’t lived up to expectations. His past five first-round picks—Eric Stokes, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, and Jordan Morgan—have shown varying degrees of success. Walker and Van Ness are starting to show promise, but overall, these picks haven’t lived up to their potential.
Stokes is likely on his way out after this season, while Wyatt has become a reliable contributor but hasn’t reached star status. Though Walker and Van Ness have improved, they still have much to prove after underwhelming starts.
Then there’s Jordan Morgan. It’s too soon to label him a bust, but his lack of progress has been concerning. Despite expectations, Morgan has failed to secure a starting role over Sean Rhyan at right guard. Meanwhile, a player who many Packers fans wanted, Cooper DeJean, is proving his worth elsewhere.
DeJean, who had been a popular choice in mock drafts, has been a standout rookie with the Eagles, making an immediate impact as a starting cornerback. His versatility and stellar play—allowing no touchdowns and breaking up five passes—have made him one of the top rookies of the year. DeJean’s ability to thrive in the slot and contribute across the secondary would have been a perfect fit for the Packers.
The Packers’ decision to pass on DeJean is starting to look like another missed opportunity, especially when compared to their choice of Jordan Morgan. While it’s still possible for Morgan to develop into a solid player, his current trajectory leaves many questioning if passing on DeJean was another first-round mistake by Gutekunst.