Why Undrafted?: Morgan Breslin

2014 NFL Draft Why Undrafteds? - Choose Player 2014 Why Undrafteds - Home Dion Bailey, S, USC Kapri Bibbs, RB, Colorado State Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State Morgan Breslin, OLB, USC Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers Victor Hampton, CB, South Carolina Cody Hoffman, WR, BYU Adrian Hubbard, OLB, Alabama Gabe Ikard, C, Oklahoma Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU Christian Jones, LB, Florida State Kenny Ladler, S, Vanderbilt Craig Loston, S, LSU James Morris, LB, Iowa Stephen Morris, QB, Miami Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina Rashaad Reynolds, CB, Oregon State Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford Brett Smith, QB, Wyoming Anthony Steen, G, Alabama James Wilder, RB, Florida State

Why Undrafted?: Morgan Breslin, OLB, USC
By Charlie Campbell, @draftcampbell

A year ago, Breslin was of the best pass-rushers in the Pac-12 with UCLA’s Anthony Barr, Stanford’s Trent Murphy and Arizona State’s Will Sutton. The junior college product Breslin had a breakout year for USC in 2012, his first season on campus. He totaled 62 tackles with 19.5 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, four passes batted and a forced fumble.

The 2013 season didn’t go well for Breslin as he battled numerous injuries throughout the year. When Breslin played, he performed well for the Trojans. In limited time, Breslin picked up 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for a loss and 15 tackles. However, injuries ended his season early and held him back throughout the lead up to the 2014 NFL Draft. With Breslin at less than 100 percent and teams being unsure of when he would be healthy, he fell undrafted.



Breslin signed with the San Francisco 49ers after going undrafted. On the surface, one wouldn’t think that was a wise decision as the 49ers are set with some good starters in Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks. However, San Francisco could be a great fit for Breslin. Aldon Smith is in a rocky status from his off-the-field issues and his NFL future remains a question mark. The player the 49ers drafted for depth behind Smith was South Florida’s Aaron Lynch. He also has a ton of off-the-field issues and problems with work ethic. Lynch could flame out quickly, and it wouldn’t surprise this writer at all if Breslin beats out Lynch for a roster spot- if healthy.

The other reason that Breslin makes sense for San Francisco is the organization’s method of stashing talented, but nicked up, players on injured reserve. The 49ers could put Breslin on injured reserve as a rookie and give him a year to get back to 100 percent. That would make a lot of sense in the long term for Breslin and leave the team with talented youth in the pipeline. In a few years, it might turn out that Breslin was a steal for San Francisco.

2014 NFL Draft Why Undrafteds? - Choose Player 2014 Why Undrafteds - Home Dion Bailey, S, USC Kapri Bibbs, RB, Colorado State Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State Morgan Breslin, OLB, USC Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers Victor Hampton, CB, South Carolina Cody Hoffman, WR, BYU Adrian Hubbard, OLB, Alabama Gabe Ikard, C, Oklahoma Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU Christian Jones, LB, Florida State Kenny Ladler, S, Vanderbilt Craig Loston, S, LSU James Morris, LB, Iowa Stephen Morris, QB, Miami Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina Rashaad Reynolds, CB, Oregon State Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford Brett Smith, QB, Wyoming Anthony Steen, G, Alabama James Wilder, RB, Florida State

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