As the NFL Draft draws closer each year, I like to scan the interwebs and see what other sites have to say about the Packers’ needs going into the draft. Since I’m not the world’s greatest scout of college talent, this helps me get a better-rounded idea of which players may fit well into the offensive or defensive schemes that the Packers utilize.
Here’s what some of those sites had to say:
NFL.com
– Inside Linebacker
Inside linebacker was a position of need even going into the 2014 season, but was not taken care of by the front office in last year’s draft. Releasing both A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones, while necessary moves, leaves only Carl Bradford, Sam Barrington and Jamari Lattimore (UFA). Since Ted Thompson didn’t make an effort to land a proven ILB during free agency, hopefully this will be addressed in the draft.
Possible ILB Prospects: Benardrick McKinney (Mississippi St), Denzel Perryman (Miami), Eric Kendricks (UCLA)
WalterFootball.com
– Inside Linebacker
– Cornerback
– Nose Tackle
– Rush Linebacker
This site uses the same reason for needing help at ILB, but they also realize that while Julius Peppers played well this past season, he won’t be around for too much longer. Another speedy, outside rusher like Clay Matthews would be a welcome addition.
Also, the loss of both Tramon Williams and Davon House left major holes in the secondary. Obvious need there.
BleacherReport.com
– Inside Linebacker
– Offensive Tackle
– Cornerback
Even though the desperation move of Clay Matthews to inside linebacker seemed to work in the short term, the team doesn’t want this to be their permanent solution. This site has the Packers drafting Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony with their first round selection.
To establish more depth at the offensive tackle position, Bleacher Report has the Packers selecting Oregon tackle Jake Fisher with their second round pick. Fisher played both left and right tackle in college, and could be used as a serviceable backup in case of injury to Bryan Bulaga, Don Barclay or David Bakhtiari.
While the Packers still have Sam Shields, Casey Hayward and Demetri Goodson on the roster at cornerback, that depth is going to have a tough time holding up against the large wide receivers they have to face week in and week out. B/R has the Packers choosing Jacoby Glenn from UCF in the third round – a player who seems to be an aggressive tackler and good at run support. In 2014, he had 48 tackles, seven interceptions and 11 passes broken up for the Knights – good enough to earn him AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
