Iowa's Marvin McNutt: Josh Morgan's Future Replacement

Josh Morgan signed with the Washington Redskins today after the San Francisco 49ers made it public that they were interested in re-signing him.

Morgan was a slow, low-grade possession receiver with tremendous blocking skills and a pretty solid upside at only 26 years old.

Call him a very poor man's Hines Ward.

Ward, in his prime, was much more athletic than Morgan playing running back, quarterback and wide receiver while at the University of Georgia.  Morgan just played quarterback in high school before converting to wide receiver at Virginia Tech.

If the 49ers are looking to replace Josh Morgan with a similar type of player, Iowa's Marvin McNutt would be a guy to consider.

McNutt is what Mel Kiper would describe as: "productive."

And from my view from the couch, I would agree with such notions as it seemed like every time I watched an Iowa Hawkeyes football game, McNutt was catching what Madden 2012 calls a "spectacular catch".

One-handed, in traffic, jump balls, you name it.

McNutt is accused of being slow, not having that NFL speed and quickness.

On the other hand, he's applauded for his route-running ability and, again, his hands.

McNutt's size is also a virtue.  He's 6'2, 212 pounds with 10" hands and good wingspan.  

Ward is 6'0", 205 lbs.

Morgan, 6'0", 219 lbs.

McNutt is right in the middle with an added two inches of height.

He's also known as a team player, having won the "Leadership Award" while redshirting in 2007.  He has no current glaring character issues.

McNutt, was recruited as a quarterback, but then converted to wide receiver.  He also played baseball and basketball in high school.

He reminds me a lot of Hines Ward except with better hands and body control.

So if Morgan is a very poor man's Ward and McNutt is just a poor man's Ward, as a late fourth-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft, McNutt might be an interesting prospect as Morgan's replacement.