Number 8: Derrick Morgan
OLB – #91 – 6’4 261lbs – Exp. 8 – Georgia Tech – 2010 Draft 1st Round Pick
With nine sacks in 2016, Derrick Morgan was tied for 18th in the NFL. Not bad for the third-scariest pass-rusher on the team. Morgan is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. For part of the season in 2016, he looked like a Pro Bowler. In the seven games between Weeks 5 and 11, “DMorg” was literally putting QBs in de morgue. In that seven game span, he recorded eight sacks. If his ascension continues and he doesn’t let age catch up to him too fast, he could be on track for his first 10 sack season.
As an extremely hard worker, he clearly doesn’t take no for an answer. He struggled early in his career due to many coaching changes and difficult scheme changes. Morgan was drafted as a 4-3 defensive end that had his hand in the dirt every play. Now performing Dick LeBeau’s exotic blitzes from the outside LB position, Morgan is finally reaching his first round pick potential. I think Morgan gets the job done in a big way this season and finds that double-digit sack season in 2017.
Stat Projection: 10.5 Sacks, 38 Tot. Tackles