Cowboys Draft Target: Nebraska WR Stanley Morgan Jr.

NAME: Stanley Morgan Jr.

POSITION: Wide Receiver

SCHOOL: Nebraska

CONFERENCE: Big Ten

CLASS: Senior

JERSEY: No. 8

RECRUITMENT RATING: 3-star

HT: 6’0″

WT: 202

D.O.B.: 9/7/1996

| | | | | | Receiving | Receiving | Receiving | Receiving | Rushing | Rushing | Rushing | Rushing | Scrimmage | Scrimmage | Scrimmage | Scrimmage
Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD
*2015 | Nebraska | Big Ten | FR | WR | 11 | 25 | 304 | 12.2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | | 0 | 25 | 304 | 12.2 | 3
*2016 | Nebraska | Big Ten | SO | WR | 13 | 33 | 453 | 13.7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 34 | 453 | 13.3 | 2
2017 | Nebraska | Big Ten | JR | WR | 11 | 61 | 986 | 16.2 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 62 | 988 | 15.9 | 10
2018 | Nebraska | Big Ten | SR | WR | 12 | 70 | 1004 | 14.3 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 71 | 1008 | 14.2 | 7
Career | Nebraska | | | | | 189 | 2747 | 14.5 | 22 | 3 | 6 | 2.0 | 0 | 192 | 2753 | 14.3 | 22

Highlights:

Pros:

Stanley Morgan Jr. was a consistent and productive wide receiver during his time at Nebraska. He projects as a “Z” receiver in the NFL, but is probably better suited to play in the slot because of his skill set. Might be the best route runner in the entire 2019 WR draft class.

There’s no questioning his toughness and competitiveness. His passion for the game shows up on tape. Unafraid to carry his routes across the middle of field. Possess good separation ability due to his precise route running and his ability to change directions on a dime. Has an understanding of how to temper his routes as well and has a way of lulling defensive backs to sleep and catching them off guard.

Has soft natural hands and shows good technique at the catch point. Shows the ability to make contested catches. Large catch radius. Excellent catch focus and body control. Shows the ability to climb the ladder and high point passes. Unfazed with DBs draped on him and shows good spatial awareness along the sideline. Has a little wiggle to be a threat after the catch, but doesn’t have homerun ability.

Cons:

Stanley Morgan Jr. could be labeled as “just a guy” as a wide receiver prospect. There is nothing really special about his game and he has just average speed and athleticism. Despite his productivity and consistency at Nebraska, he may have already reached his peak.

Morgan may be nothing more than a slot receiver in the NFL. He doesn’t possess the necessary speed to be a threat down the field and doesn’t show a lot of burst out of his breaks. Average speed will limit his big-play ability as well. Struggles to beat press coverage, which could cause cornerbacks to sit on underneath routes.

Doesn’t offer anything on special teams. Had a handful of opportunities at Nebraska as a kick and punt returner with very little success. Doesn’t show a lot of functional strength on film. Lack of strength and power limits his blocking ability in the passing game. Arrested for marijuana possession in May 2017.

Cowboys Fit:

Although Stanley Morgan Jr. has the ability to play the “Z” position with the Dallas Cowboys, they would likely move him into the slot full-time as Cole Beasley’s replacement now that he’s officially moved on to the Buffalo Bills. He may not have the same kind of change of direction skills as Beasley, but Morgan’s precise route running ability immediately makes him a threat in the Cowboys aerial attack as a rookie.

Morgan unfortunately doesn’t offer much, if anything, on special teams. He returned a few kickoffs and punts during his time at Nebraska, but had marginal success. He will probably never be more than a WR3 and might have already reached his peak as a prospect, but he is the type of WR who can have a long career in the NFL. As a potential mid-round draft pick he is an intriguing slot option for the Cowboys, but probably won’t help fans forget about No. 11 anytime soon.