DraftTracker
Round | Team | Pos. | School | Name
Kirk Morrison
LB (6-1, 235, 4.72)
San Diego State
Grade: 63
Comments
Is an experience LB with tremendous production throughout his career. Has very good instincts, savvy, toughness and leadership skills. Is a search-and-flow linebacker with good recognition skills. Makes quick reads, attacks the run and is a physical and aggressive player. Is quicker than fast. He has good size, lower body strength and power. He does a decent job of taking on and shedding blocks. Is at his best when he can make a quick read and fill the gap hard. He plays with a great motor and won't give up on a play. He is a powerful tackler with adequate-to-good open field tackling skills. Takes good angles and is typically in good position to make the tackle in pursuit. Has solid instincts and very good experience in zone coverage. Is disciplined in that area, as well. He is at his best when coming forward, which is why he's a better blitzer than he is in coverage. Shows some power moves, good instincts and is relentless as a pass rusher. Lack of speed is a concern. He had adequate range versus the run at his level in college but does not show great burst or acceleration. He is not a great athlete. His hips are somewhat stiff. If he misses a tackle it typically comes as a result of his inability to adjust and re-direct in space. He won't make mistakes in coverage, but he just doesn't have the quick-twitch athleticism or top-end speed to hold up in man coverage and his range in zone coverage is limited as well. Morrison is a four-year starter at the middle linebacker position. He was one of the most productive linebackers in the nation his final two seasons at SDSU, as he finished 2003 with 115 total tackles, 17 TFL, 3.5 sacks and one interception, and finished 2004 with 115 tackles, nine TFL and one interception. Morrison battled through some nagging injuries as a senior in 2004 but he didn't miss a start and he showed tremendous toughness throughout the season. He has adequate size, good strength, decent quickness, excellent instincts and adequate range. However, his lack of top-end speed and stiffness in coverage hurts him as an NFL prospect. He might be able to overcome those physical limitations with instincts, angles and toughness but NFL teams shouldn't take a chance on that with a Day 1 selection. Morrison is likely to come off the board early on Day 2 and should make a strong contribution on special teams early in his career while trying to push for a starting role as a two-down ILB in the NFL.
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