Derrick Morgan was the 16^th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and had high expectations after 55 tackles, 18.5 for loss, and 12.5 sacks in his final year at Georgia Tech. However, with just 5 career sacks in 2 years, Morgan is now better known as the guy who was selected one pick after Jason Pierre Paul. Morgan missed most of his rookie season with a torn ACL and managed just 2 sacks in 4 games and then struggled mightily in 2011, managing just 3 sacks, with 6 quarterback hits and 19 quarterback pressures. On 378 pass rush snaps, that’s a 7.4% rate, a big part of the reason why only 4 defensive ends graded out worse than him on ProFootballFocus in 2011.

A huge part of the reason why he struggled in 2011 was that he had not fully recovered from his torn ACL. He needed two procedures on that knee and wore a knee brace all last season. Now, heading into his 3^rd year in the league, he has shed his knee brace and could be poised for a breakout season. At the same time, if he struggles again, he could be gone after the year. He’ll no longer have an excuse and the coaching staff that drafted him is gone so the team will have no loyalty to him. A strong year from Derrick Morgan, as well as the addition of Kamerion Wimbley, will have big positive effect for a Tennessee team that managed 28 sacks last year, 3^rd worst in the NFL.

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