2014 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Morgan Moses

Strengths:
  • Excellent size
  • Strength
  • Effective run-blocker
  • Ability to sustain blocks
  • Physical
  • Arm length
  • Balance
  • More agility than one would think
  • Shows some nimble movement for a big blocker
  • Has some quickness to the second level
  • Well suited for a man-blocking scheme
  • Ability to stay on his feet
  • Has some mean streak
  • Strong hands
  • Upside




  • Weaknesses:
  • Not elite athlete
  • Lacks elite speed, quickness
  • Could stand to improve his conditioning
  • Should drop some extra weight
  • A bit of a catcher in pass protection
  • Can he handle NFL speed rushers?
  • Could be best as a right tackle
  • Could improve his knee bend, pad level
  • Lunges at times after speed rushers


  • Summary: Over recent years, Virginia has produced some quality offensive tackles. Eugene Monroe was a top-10 pick in 2009 while Oday Aboushi was drafted in the fifth round by the Jets last year. Moses should go much higher in the 2014 NFL Draft than were Aboushi was taken in 2013.

    Moses was the starter at right tackle as a sophomore and junior on the other side from Aboushi. Moses was a good run-blocker who steadily improved his pass protection. Moses moved over to left tackle for his senior season with Aboushi in the NFL and played well. Moses had a number of good games to help his draft stock. At the Senior Bowl, he had a solid week overall. Moses could use some work on his body to drop some flab and improve his quickness/agility, but he did well in the one-on-ones in Mobile and showed his pass-protection potential.

    Moses has good size and length. He also has the strength to push defenders at the point of attack and get some movement in the ground game. Virginia had success running behind Moses over his career.

    In pass protection, Moses has continued room for improvement, but he should be able to be reliable if he’s on the right side. Moses has good length, but could stand to improve his technique. Sometimes he can lunge and catch rushers, and that could give him some problems with speed rushers if he’s at left tackle. Smaller speedy rushers also can have success cutting to the inside on Moses. He has upside to develop but needs to improve his pass blocking for the next level.

    For the NFL, Moses would probably be best as a right tackle. If he continues to develop, he could move to the left side in time. Moses probably shouldn’t begin his NFL career as a starting left tackle. Moses could play in a zone-blocking system, but would be better in a man scheme. He looks like a late first-round or second-round pick.



    Player Comparison: Max Starks/Marvel Smith. Moses is comparable to the former Steelers offensive tackles. Smith (6-5, 325) was Pittsburgh’s left tackle in the team’s Super Bowl XL championship. Injuries killed his career and cut it short. Starks (6-8, 345) was a solid pro and part of the Steelers’ smash-mouth offense. He played right and left tackle for Pittsburgh. Both of the veteran tackles struggled with speed rushers at times, and that could be an issue for Moses. Like the Steelers veterans, Moses could play both left and right tackle in the NFL. All were/are tough run-blockers who can push linemen off the line of scrimmage.

    NFL Matches: Arizona, Miami, San Diego, Carolina, Seattle, Houston, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Buffalo, Tennessee

    There are a ton of teams that could consider Moses in the back half of the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft or early in the second round. At the end of the top-20 picks, both the Cardinals and Dolphins are searching for long-term answers at left tackle. Each team needs a long-term starter at left and right tackle, so Moses makes sense for either squad.

    The Chargers got surprisingly good play out of King Dunlap last season, but they still could aim to land a long-term solution as their blind-side protector for Philip Rivers. Moses and D.J. Fluker would give San Diego two big, powerful bookend tackles.

    The Panthers also need a long-term left tackle to protect their franchise quarterback. Jordan Gross is nearing the end of the line, and Moses could develop into Cam Newton’s protector in the prime of his career.

    The Seahawks could use a revamped right side of their offensive line. Moses could come in and play right tackle for Seattle.

    In the AFC South, Houston needs more competition at right tackle, and if Moses falls to the second round, the Texans could scoop him up. The Jaguars are right back where they were a year ago when they drafted a right tackle with the No. 2 overall pick. Now, Luke Joeckel on the left side instead of Eugene Monroe; Moses could be drafted to play right tackle for Jacksonville.

    The Falcons have to improve their offensive line this offseason and could think of Moses in Round 2. The Bucs could use an eventual replacement for Donald Penn, and Moses could possibly start his career at guard if selected by Tampa Bay.

    The Bills need a right tackle to go on the other side from Cordy Glenn. Tennessee could move on from David Stewart this offseason, while Michael Roos is in the final year of his contract. Moses could plug one of those holes in Tennessee.



    RELATED LINKS:


    2014 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2014 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2014 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








    2024 NFL Mock Draft - March 26


    NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


    Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


    NFL Picks - Feb. 12