Behren Morton NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for New England Patriots QB

Damian ParsonDec 15, 2025

The New England Patriots selected Texas Tech QB Behren Morton with the No. 234 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Behren Morton is an experienced quarterback who has led the Texas Tech Raiders to a first-round bye in the College Football Playoffs. He projects best as a backup with spot-starting upside.

He is an effective, quick-game passer with a solid arm and the athleticism to make plays when needed.

Morton joined Texas Tech as a former 4-star recruit in the 2021 class. He has performed well for the Raiders' offense and is chasing program records.

Dame Parson is the lead host of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast. He also serves as co-host of the Scouting Room NFL Podcast alongside Daniel Harms.

Highlights

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Where He Wins

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 06 Big 12 Championship Game Texas Tech vs BYU

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- Morton is an above-average athlete. He navigates the pocket and buys time for receivers to work free man coverage. If protection breaks down, he will escape the pocket and look to make plays with his legs. Able to flip the switch and play backyard football when needed to evade the pass rush and extend plays.

- Velocity on passes ten yards and below. He can deliver the ball quickly in the short areas of the field.

- He reads the field well on horizontal passing concepts like Mesh. Morton identifies the Mike backer and executes the read based on the second-level defenders' drop.

- Morton possesses the foot and hip quickness to effectively operate and execute RPO concepts. He quickly swivels his hips to line up and rip glance routes.

- Quick passing concepts are best for Morton. It allows him to get the ball out of his hands quickly and hit the first read in the progression.

Areas of Improvement

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- Lacks high-end arm talent and strength. Morton's passes lose momentum when attacking the deeper areas of the field. Those passes are left short and underthrown, creating more contested-catch situations, with receivers relying on his big frame to bail him out.

- Morton isn't an anticipatory thrower; he tends to be a 'wait and see" passer waiting for his receiver to break and clear the defensive back. This leads to off-target and late-triggered passes.

- The fifth-year senior signal caller is easily confused by post-snap coverage changes. He is indecisive in the pocket and holds on to the football for too long, allowing defensive line pressure to get home.

- Over nearly three years, the Raiders' QB has undergone shoulder surgery, suffered multiple lower-leg injuries, battled a tricep strain, and has been sidelined for concussion protocol. His injury history is consistent, raising concerns about his ability to stay healthy in the NFL.

- He tends to bail clean pockets without allowing route concepts time to develop and execute. He leaves yards and potential big plays on the field. Morton must begin to play with more poise in the pocket to maximize play designs.