NY Jets reportedly interviewing FIU quarterback James Morgan

The NY Jets are reportedly set to interview FIU quarterback James Morgan ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft as they search for a backup quarterback.

The NY Jets and the rest of the NFL have been forced to take a different approach when it comes to meeting with prospects this year. Rather than simply attending pro days or hosting visits in the team’s facility, other means have had to be taken.

That applies to their most recent “visit” with FIU quarterback James Morgan, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who is the latest in a long line of players to have conducted interviews with the team thus far.

Morgan is an interesting name to watch out for given that the position he plays isn’t the first that springs to mind when assessing the Jets’ draft needs. But the team is in search of a backup to Sam Darnold and they clearly feel that Morgan could be the right player for the job.

The 23-year-old started the last two seasons at FIU after transferring over from Bowling Green. In two seasons with the Golden Panthers, Morgan totaled 40 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions while playing for an FIU team that went 15-11 during his time there.

Morgan helped lead FIU to just their second victory over a Power-5 opponent when they defeated their cross-town rivals, Miami, this past season. And in his two seasons with FIU, he was able to lead the team to back-to-back bowl appearances.

The Green Bay native has been a fast riser up many draft boards following reports that he’s interviewed well with a number of teams. And perhaps the team that has shown the most interest in him so far has been the New England Patriots.

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Morgan has a live arm up there with some of the best in the class. His ability to move through his progressions is impressive for his age and he has all the intangibles needed to be a very good quarterback.

However, his decision-making remains a major concern.

Morgan is a high-risk passer who struggles to make smart decisions, especially when he’s under pressure. On top of that, his ball placement still needs some work particularly in regards to throwing downfield.

But as a mid-round developmental option, Morgan makes sense.

The FIU product has experience in both an Air Raid system at Bowling Green and a more pro-style scheme at FIU. That schematic versatility should allow him to find a home on some NFL roster early on in his career.

His decision-making might hold him back, but his intangibles and pro-ready arm make him an appealing backup quarterback for a number of NFL teams.

And that’s exactly what the Jets will have in mind.

Perhaps the team could target him with their fifth-round pick or one of two sixth-round selections. But with his draft stock continuing to rise, he might go earlier than expected.

Either way, the interest is apparent so don’t be surprised to see the Jets take a flier on James Morgan in the mid-rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.