Mike Morris debuts at #22 in Kipers Big Board
Link: https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34633986/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-every-position (paywalled)
"22. Mike Morris, DE/OLB, Michigan
HT: 6-6 | WT: 292 | Previously: NR
It's rare to see a guy as big as Morris playing on his feet as a stand-up edge rusher, but he moves extremely well for his size. Morris could be considered a bit of a late bloomer, but he was playing behind two great talents last season (Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo); he had only a half-sack in three starts in 2021. This season, Morris has 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble, and he pops when I put on the tape because of his size and traits. He could keep rising as we get closer to the draft in April."
November 3rd, 2022 at 8:59 AM ^
Seems like a guy that could have a 10+ year career on the Steelers.
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:27 AM ^
He could go that high but I'm not sure how well he will test at the combine, so he could end up being one of those "scheme specific" guys who can go higher than expected or drop 20-30 spots until a team that has a perfect role for him is on the board with no other higher needs. Obviously the Ravens would be a fit, but beyond that I'm not sure - maybe he could play as a 3-4 DE? Maybe he drops the weight he gained this year and plays OLB like Gary? Maybe moves to 3T in a 4-3?
November 3rd, 2022 at 10:20 AM ^
Corum to the chiefs would certainly be fun to watch.
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:35 AM ^
As noted elsewhere Morris isn't likely to pop at the combine so I could see him being dinged a bit on draft boards. Still, glad to see him trending up and could be Michigan's 6th first- or second-rounder on the line under Harbaugh. That's pretty good.
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:46 AM ^
I think he will surprise many with his combine results.
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:49 AM ^
Man, Michigan's DL scouting and development has been absurd that last 10 years. Look at all the guys we've had drafted on the D-line
Hutchinson
Ojabo
Uche
Danna*
Gary
Winovich
Hurst
Charlton
Wormley
Glasgow
Willie Henry
Clark
Jake Ryan
Mike Martin
Like some of those guys had the recruiting rankings to suggest they'd be draftable, but a lot of those guys well outpaced their recruiting rankings
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:58 AM ^
Brandon Graham just before those fellas.
November 3rd, 2022 at 2:26 PM ^
And that doesn’t even count the ugly injury guys like Mone - doing pretty well right now in Seattle - and McGregor, who is flashing promising signs as he gets further away from knee explosion 2019.
November 3rd, 2022 at 10:35 AM ^
He was a 3 star out of HS.
November 3rd, 2022 at 11:08 AM ^
Does kris Jenkins go pro? If so we lose, Mazi/Jenkins/gemon/Dj turner. Some of the edges probably too either to graduation or okie probably to draft.
November 3rd, 2022 at 11:17 AM ^
So, based on this assessment / projection - and, last year's results - it seems pretty fair that Michigan is doing a pretty good job at developing DL.
And, if Ojabo hadn't been injured during a Pro Day workout after the 2021 season, it's possible / probable that Michigan could have had three DL drafted in the first round of the 2022 and 2023 NFL Drafts.
November 3rd, 2022 at 11:23 AM ^
I think this is premature. I do think he'll be spot-on this time next year.
November 3rd, 2022 at 11:26 AM ^
Good for him! Hoping for continued success.
November 3rd, 2022 at 11:45 AM ^
Good to see him getting draft hype. It will only help us if we keep getting guys paid
November 3rd, 2022 at 11:55 AM ^
Good for him. Love to see a Michigan Man like him play himself into prosperity.
November 3rd, 2022 at 11:23 PM ^
Shocked he’s ranked this high. Kinda figured he’d go in rounds 2-4