2023 NFL Draft: Mike Morris Scouting Report

2023 NFL Draft: Mike Morris Scouting Report

It may come as little surprise that the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2022 has football in his DNA. Michigan’s Mike Morris almost followed his father’s path who played on the offensive line for Florida State. Morris has paved the way for himself to have a very successful career in the NFL, despite his showing at the NFL Combine. His disappointing numbers may currently have his draft stock sinking, but that shouldn’t eradicate all the things teams should love about him.

A natural athlete with a great build, Mike Morris took a while to earn a consistent role on the field. While Michigan has had recent top draft pick Aidan Hutchinson coming off the edge for them, even when Morris gained an increased snap share, production did not immediately follow. What is intriguing, however, is that he had his best season once Hutchinson left which proves he can be the guy.

Mike Morris had a great senior year accumulating almost eight sacks on the season. He also blocked a kick, forced a fumble, and broke up three passes which led to his nomination for Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. The leap in production combined with his natural athleticism should have teams eager to get him in the building and mold him into the elite edge defender he has shown he can be.

Strengths:

Football is in his DNA as his father played at the college level;

Tremendous pursuit against the run, really demonstrates his speed here;

Processes the power to take away gaps in the run game;

Versatile player who can play inside or on the edge;

His natural frame is impressive, but his wingspan is what makes him very intriguing as an edge rusher.

Weaknesses:

Needs to improve as a pass rusher;

Larger frame leads him to enter contact with his pad level too high;

Only one year with solid production;

Second effort needs to be better when the initial rush stalls;

Had a lackluster showing at the combine which currently can be seen as a major reason why his draft stock is so low.

Projection: Fourth Round

Bottom Line on Mike Morris

Morris has shown he can play on the inside and outside, but he is best suited on the edge to reach his full potential. He is still extremely raw as a prospect, but the good thing is that he has proved to be productive against the run, which will make him easier to plug in any defensive scheme.

A team that drafts Mike Morris can expect an edge defender who is on the cusp of taking another leap as he did from last season to this one. He may be an early special team contributor and rotational piece but in the right scheme, Morris could wreak havoc.

Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports