The Green Bay Packers selected offensive lineman Jordan Morgan with the 25th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his rookie season and limited him to just six games. But with the signing of Aaron Banks earlier this week, the question remains where Morgan will play in 2025 and beyond.
Morgan played left tackle at Arizona. However, most scouts felt he was better suited to play guard in the NFL in part because of his arm length. When the Packers first drafted him, GM Brian Gutekunst said Morgan would get a chance to complete at left tackle but would see action at multiple positions along the line. Gutekunst values versatility in his offensive linemen.
That was clearly part of the reason Gutekunst selected Morgan. “I think he can play all four spots,” Gutekunst said, meaning any position along the offensive line except center. “We’re fortunate enough that we’ve got a lot of guys in our group right now that can do that, and so I think we’ll kind of let the best five battle it out and see where that ends up.”
But by the time training camp opened, the Packers coaching staff decided that Morgan would compete at right guard with Sean Rhyan. The logic was this would give him the best chance to contribute the quickest since 2023 starting right guard Jon Runyan, Jr. had signed with the New York Giants as a free agent.
Ultimately, injuries in training camp held Morgan back and Rhyan won the job. The Packers started the season with a plan at right guard that was similar to what they did the previous season. Rhyan would start, but Morgan would be put into the lineup on several series during the game to spell Rhyan and give the rookie some experience.
Morgan played in just six games and started one. The start came when center Josh Myers missed a game due to injury. Left guard Elgton Jenkins moved to center and Morgan stepped in to start at guard.
Unfortunately, the last game Morgan played was November 3rd when the Packers hosted the Lions. He missed the rest of the season after being placed on the injured reserve.
During the offseason, there were changes made to the Green Bay offensive line. The Packers opted not to re-sign Myers, and the former second-round pick signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the New York Jets. The Packers also signed guard Aaron Banks as a free agent. Banks has played left guard throughout his career and is expected to play there for the Packers in 2025.
If Banks starts at left guard, the Packers will most likely move Jenkins to center. Zach Tom remains the starter at right tackle. But where does this leave Morgan in 2025?
There are two logical choices for Morgan as of now. These could change depending on whether Gutekunst selects another offensive lineman in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The first option is for Morgan to continue to battle with Rhyan for the right guard spot. Rhyan graded out as average according to Pro Football Focus. The former third-round pick out of UCLA had a solid first season as a starter but likely remains the most vulnerable starter along the Green Bay offensive line.
The other option would be to have Morgan compete at left tackle with Rasheed Walker. The question is whether Morgan has the physical tools to play tackle in the NFL. He only saw significant reps at left tackle during OTAs and the coaching staff quickly moved him back to guard.
If Morgan can take over at tackle, they can use Walker as their swing tackle this season. The Penn State alum is entering the last season of his entry-level contract, and the Packers have to decide by next year whether he deserves a second deal with the team or not.
This will be a critical season for Morgan. What position he plays and how well he plays there will go a long way towards determining his career trajectory. It will also determine how good the Packers offensive line will be and how much depth they will have.
