2015 NFL Draft: Missouri Tigers’ Mitch Morse Selected by Kansas City Chiefs in Second Round
For the second straight season, an NFL team shocked the draft community by selecting a Missouri Tigers left tackle.
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The Kansas City Chiefs went in-state with their second-round pick, taking Mizzou’s Mitch Morse with the 49th overall pick. Morse follows his predecessor at Mizzou, Justin Britt, who was selected with the final pick of the second round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2014 and went on to start every regular season game for the NFC champions.
Like Britt, Morse went into the pre-draft process expected by many to be a late-round pick or priority undrafted free agent. But after a fantastic combine where he was among the leaders for offensive linemen in the bench press, broad jump, and 20-yard shuttle, Morse obviously caught enough eyes that he was able to vault himself into the draft’s second day.
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Morse was a three-year starter for the Tigers and did a great job of showcasing his versatility. After beginning the 2012 season as the starting center, he shifted out to right tackle following injuries to starting tackles Elvis Fisher and Justin Britt. He stuck at right tackle for the 2013 season on Mizzou’s SEC East champion squad, then moved over to the left side for the 2014 season.
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Though he didn’t get a lot of opportunities to showcase himself because of Mizzou’s rather simple spread scheme, the 6-foot-5, 305-pounder has impressed with his on-field strength and his aforementioned versatility and football IQ. Morse could push for the Chiefs’ starting right tackle job this season, though he may also be a candidate for their center spot, which was vacated by the signing of Rodney Hudson in Oakland and which many have expected to be filled by backup Eric Kush.
Morse is the third offensive lineman to be drafted out of Mizzou since Gary Pinkel took over as head coach in 2001, joining Britt and Colin Brown.
Next: Former Mizzou WR Dorial Green-Beckham Selected by Tennessee Titans