Coming off Arizona’s most successful season in nine years, four Wildcats participated in the 2024 NFL Draft Combine last weekend. Tight end Tanner McLachlan, wide receiver Jacob Cowing, running back Michael Wiley, and left tackle Jordan Morgan took the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and front office personnel.
Tight end Tanner McLachlan participated on Day Two alongside other tight ends and defensive backs. McLachlan ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds, the third-fastest by a tight end at the draft combine this year. He ran the 10-yard split in 1.58 seconds at the 2024 NFL Draft Combine. The Alberta native also recorded a vertical jump of 35 inches and a nine-foot nine-inch broad jump.
The 6-5, 244-pound McLachlan finished with a 75 “Next Gen Stats” grade, which ranks seventh amongst tight ends. McLachlan earned a 5.96 prospect grade, which categorizes him on the high end of a “average backup or special-teamer”. The NFL’s Lance Zierlein wrote, “McLachlan is a slightly challenging evaluation, as his measurables and traits don’t really match the intangibles and effort he puts on tape. He plays with the spirit of an in-line tight end and flashes what it takes to execute blocks, but he’s missing the mass and play strength for one to confidently project him as a pro blocker at this point.”
Zierlein added, “While McLachlan has short arms and average speed, he still finds ways to go get the football outside his frame and does whatever it takes to add yards after catch. There are boxes that go unchecked, but his ‘whatever it takes’ mentality is the kind of intangible that often turns prospects into pros.”
Wide receiver Jacob Cowing displayed his elite speed on Saturday with a 4.38 40-yard dash time – 10th-best at the combine. Cowing ran a 1.54 10-yard split, and recorded a 36-inch vertical jump and nine-foot eleven-inch broad jump. He also participated in the 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle, finishing with times of 7.02 seconds and 4.32 seconds, respectively.
The Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP finished with a “Next Gen Stats” score of 77 and a prospect grade of 5.89. “The tape can be a fun watch when Cowing’s field vision and athleticism shine after the catch in Arizona’s quick game, but there are several boxes that go unchecked in the total evaluation,” said NFL’s Lance Zierlein.
Zierlein added, “Cowing is a slightly built slot receiver who is more quick than he is fast and he lacks big-time separation. He is made for option routes underneath and displays a nose for the end zone. He must learn to maintain additional space as a static pass-catcher because he won’t win very often when contested. Cowing needs to limit drops, improve as a route-runner and display some punt-return talent to give himself the best chance of sticking on an NFL roster for a while.”
Running back Michael Wiley also showed off his skills on Saturday in Indianapolis. Wiley posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.51 seconds and a 10-yard split time of 1.54 seconds. He finished with a vertical jump of 33.5 inches, broad jump of nine-feet eleven-inches, and 4.43 second 20-yard shuttle. Wiley only participated in running drills after injuring his thumb at the Senior Bowl, according to the NFL. He is expected to get surgery, but elected to wait until after the draft combine.
Arizona’s all-time receiving yards leader for running backs earned a “Next Gen Stats” score of 65. Zierlein gave him a 5.63 prospect grade, and described Wiley with a “nose for the end zone”. “Wiley has good size and can finish with some thump, but he’s missing key elements to be a successful NFL runner. He struggles with reading fronts in outside zone. Playing with one-cut decisiveness and burst, he might be better suited in a gap-oriented running scheme.”
“He’s smooth when he gets up to the second level but can be too slow in getting there. He lacks play speed and short-area elusiveness to create for himself but has been impressive putting the ball in the paint as a runner and pass catcher. Wiley has some third-down potential but will need to prove he can play faster and with better vision to stay ahead of NFL defenses,” said Zierlein.
Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan showcased his talents on Sunday of the 2024 NFL Draft Combine. The 6’5, 311-pound Marana, AZ native recorded a 5.04 second 40-yard dash and a 1.7 second 10-yard split. Morgan also logged a 28-inch vertical jump and nine-foot two-inch broad jump.
The 2023 First-Team All-Pac-12 tackle graded well, earning a “Next Gen Stats” grade of 84 – fifth-best amongst offensive tackles. He also scored a 6.36 prospect grade, which falls under the category of “will eventually be plus starter”. Zierlein said Morgan is a “three-year starter who displayed his resilience and work ethic by coming back and playing good football after suffering a torn ACL late in the 2022 season. Morgan is both fluid and flexible in space, with the ability to help spring running plays with second-level blocks and play-side lead blocking.”
“He fails to secure back-side cutoffs too frequently, but improving his pad level and landmarks might fix that issue. His punch approach diminishes his pass protection length and causes him to lose connection at the top of the rush. He will need to get his hands and feet synced up in order to improve his balance and consistency against athletic rushers. He’s a capable run blocker and pass protector, and he features projectable upside with more work. Morgan has the traits and talent to become a solid starting left tackle.”
He is set to become the Wildcats’ first offensive lineman drafted since Eben Britton in 2009. Morgan could also become Arizona’s first first-round selection since Antoine Cason was drafted by the Chargers in 2008. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Jordan Morgan as the No. 7 offensive tackle on his Big Board. Kiper Jr. projects Morgan will be selected 25th-overall by the Green Bay Packers in his most recent mock draft.
Arizona’s Pro Day will take place on Thursday, March 14, at Arizona Stadium. The 2024 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 25-27 in Detroit, MI.