2010 NFL Draft Report Card Grade: Derrick Morgan, DE, Tennessee Titans

Sep 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) steps up in the pocket to avoid pressure from Tennessee Titans defensive end Derrick Morgan (91) and defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Toward the end of April, I acknowledged that Titan Sized would conduct a series of 2010 NFL Draft report cards. Josh Gunnels, David Fleming and I’ve teamed together to assess each of the nine picks from that draft. Over the next two weeks, we’ll give our grades and overall evaluations on each of those players. Furthermore, we’ll ask our readers to give their own grade via a poll. To make sure that there aren’t too many options, we’ll keep polling options to 100-90-80-70… etc.

Let’s start with Tennessee Titans defensive end Derrick Morgan. Taken with the No. 16 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Morgan continues to progress into a well-balanced defensive lineman who offers value as a run-defender and pass-rush specialist. During his rookie season, Morgan was limited to four games because of an ACL injury. It wasn’t until this past season when Morgan appeared like the player who the Titans expected when they drafted him.

On to the grades.

2010 NFL Draft Report Card Evaluation
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Round 1, Pick 16
Still With Team: YES

Career Stats
Career Games: 35
Tackles: 94
Sacks: 10.5
Pass Deflections: 9
Stuffs: 7
Forced Fumbles: 1
Fumble Recoveries: 1

Joshua Huffman (Editor): 77.5 (C+)

From picks No. 14-18 in the 2010 NFL Draft, Derrick Morgan is the only player who hasn’t earned Pro Bowl recognition. That could change during the 2013-14 NFL season. But until it does, Morgan must continue to build off a strong second-half from the 2012-13 season. His ACL injury from 2010-11 has made this similar to grading a player after his second season. The farther he gets from that injury, the better he should get.

Josh Gunnels (Assistant Editor, Lead Columnist): 85 (B+ to B)

It’s well known that the Giants snagged Jason Pierre-Paul directly in front of the Titans pick in the 2010 draft.  Morgan looked like a great pick in his first 3 games while providing pressure on the quarterback early and often.  His knee injury shouldn’t affect his draft grade as it can happen to anyone.  Morgan’s tackles, assists, and sacks all doubled or better from 2011-2012, setting him up for a stellar year to come. Given the players taken after Morgan, the Titans made the right move with the pick.

David Fleming (Contributor): 82 (B)

Having won ACC Defensive Player of the Year his junior season, Derrick Morgan appeared to be one of the safest picks entering the 2010 draft. Unfortunately, Morgan suffered a torn ACL only four games into his rookie season, but since he has been steadily progressing. Morgan receives an 82 because he hasn’t yet become the dominant force that we initially expected, but he is still improving

Titan Sized Staff (3 Participants): 81.5 (B)

85 + 82 + 77.5 = (244.5 / 3) = 81.5

What do Titan Sized readers think? Answer in the poll below. All grades will get averaged and tallied within the next 2-3 days.

Tomorrow: Damian Williams, WR, USC