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David Morgan II, TE
School: University of Texas San Antonio | Conference: C-USA
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 262 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 6th Round
NFL Comparison: Crockett Gilmore
College Statistics
Player Overview
In 2015, David Morgan II was named UTSA's first All-American in school history. Morgan II was the go-to receiver and most reliable pass catcher on the team. Morgan II is also surprisingly athletic despite being kind of a plodder in the way he runs. He's a former basketball player and has good body control. He has the ability to make cuts and uses his body well to create space for himself. He also can go up and get the ball with the awareness to get his feet down making several impressive catches this season near the sideline or in the end-zone. He can line up inline or in the slot.
Morgan also has a little bit of "old school" makeup in him as he is a great run blocker. WHAT?!. I know right? He has a bit of nasty to him as well blocking on the run, using his strength to drive his opponent off their spot and often blocking to the whistle. David Morgan II still resembles the type of blocker/receiver that is disappearing from the NFL but is still a much sought after commodity. He has the attitude and will to make the tough catches and do the dirty work blocking and is just a good overall ball player.
Strengths
- Reliable target in the passing game he has sure hands and knows how to secure the ball and get up field.
- Actually a force in the run blocking game, he's usually stout and works to move opponents off their spot. Wasn't asked to pass block much as he was UTSA's primary target.
- Was used as an inline blocker/pass catcher and in the slot he even played a little in the backfield could be a possible H-back type.
- More athletic than gets credit for he can go up and get it and has decent play speed.
- Tough and gritty after the catch. As you'll see below he ran people over and literally carried a man on his back for positive plays.
- Great size for a TE could be a legitimate red zone threat or 3rd down option outside of Jordan Reed.
Weaknesses
- He has technique issues that need to be cleaned up at the pro level. Could improve his ability to run block even more with good hand technique.
- Is a bit of a plodder and a raw route runner. He doesn't have the fluidity, quickness, or long speed to keep defenders honest when covering him.
- Needs to get better at route running he tends to give away the whole show which won't work in the NFL like it did in the C-USA.
Let's see his work:
Impressed with what I see from TE David Morgan II of UTSA
— John Blair (@nfldraftitwr) March 11, 2016
Great run blocker
45 catches in 2015
Led all TEs with 29 reps on the bench press
#NFLCombine TE top bench press performances:#UTSA's David Morgan 29
— UTSA Roadrunners (@RunEmSports) February 27, 2016
Sandland 23
Braunecker 20 #BirdsUp!
#UTSA TE David Morgan is one of our biggest sleepers this year in the #2016 #NFLDRAFT
— DraftRecon (@draftrecon) February 17, 2016
I see ya David Morgan! Doing work in the run game for UTSA.. Find me a better blocking TE in this draft class! pic.twitter.com/2LqN5mg2vT
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 11, 2016
UTSA TE David Morgan showing off his ball skills. pic.twitter.com/1rZCkQEG66
— Ethan Young (@NFLDrafter) February 10, 2016
Remembering UTSA's First All-American and Draft Prospect Tight End David Morgan https://t.co/5Ha602jThL
— SB Nation College (@sbncollege) December 25, 2015
Beast Mode! UTSA TE David Morgan II literally carries defender for 1st down vs. Kansas State. #KSTATEvsUTSAhttps://t.co/TqfvEbjTvO
— FS1 (@FS1) September 12, 2015
Watching some of UTSA TE David Morgan. He blocks to the whistle and beyond https://t.co/QJ6d9tfc6w
— Lorin Cox (@CoxSports1) December 13, 2015
#UTSA senior David Morgan II continues to be the @ProFootballTalk Pro Football Focus Dream Team tight end https://t.co/g2XLshkFJy #birdsup
— UTSA Football (@UTSAFTBL) December 4, 2015
UTSA Football great play by David Morgan IIhttps://t.co/A6a4pxAyyd http://t.co/J1dCJDKRjR
— UTSA Sports Network (@UTSASportsNet) September 21, 2015
David Morgan had the catch of the day in yesterday's scrimmage. #ChallengeOrThreat #UTSA #birdsup pic.twitter.com/DnqhCRyClX
— Larry Coker (@LarryCoker) August 11, 2015
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound prospect is a stud run blocker. PFF analyst John Breitenbach noted after the season that his +32.5 grade in that category is "easily the best we've seen in two years in the FBS." - Rotoworld
Combine Results
How He Would Fit on the Redskins
David Morgan II might be one of the best all-around TE's in this draft class and he doesn't have much competition from his peers in the blocking department. He should be talked about more and his stock might be on the rise as he tested above expectations at the combine. With the resigning of Logan Paulson it becomes unlikely that Scot McClough uses a draft pick even a late one on the TE position. I still think the Redskins are content rolling with Jordan Reed, Niles Paul, Logan Paulson, and Derek Carrier. In contrast, Scot McCloughan has preached competition at every position during his time here and the injury status of Derek Carrier, and team friendly 1 year deal for Logan Paulson potentially make them expendable if they are clearly being outperformed in training camp. David Morgan would provide much more reliable hands than a guy like Paulson, and he is a better blocker than Derek Carrier is.
There is competition to be had! Morgan II wouldn't likely see much playing time behind Jordan and Niles but with his blocking ability he could contribute to actually running a goal line formation, be a potential threat in the red zone, and contribute via special teams.