2018 CheeseheadTV NFL Draft Guide

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2018 /// PRO FOOTBALL

DRAFT GUIDE

Derwin James

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S – Florida St.

Marcus Davenport

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DE – Texas-San Antonio

Troy Fumagalli

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TE – Wisconsin

THE ONLY DRAFT GUIDE CREATED BY PACKERS FANS FOR PACKERS FANS CHEESEHEADTV.COM 2018 PRO FOOTBALL DR AFT GUIDE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS /// Meet the Draft Guide Team.......................................................................4 Letter From the Editor...............................................................................5 FEATURES: Elite QB Lifespans and When to Draft Their Replacements........................... 6 Will a New GM Bring Bold Moves in the Draft?............................................. 11 What Might New Packers DC Mike Pettine Be Scheming?............................15 NFC North Team Needs........................................................................... 19 Who Does He Compare to in the NFL?.................................................. 25 Top 100 Prospects................................................................................... 30 NFL Mock Draft........................................................................................ 35

TROY FUMAGALLI /// TE Wisconsin

All Stats are from 2017 unless indicated otherwise. All player measurements are from the NFL combine unless the player did not participate, then they were taken from his University’s web site.

All player videos courtesy of DraftBreakdown.com. Player photos courtesy of USA Today and the communications departments at Wisconsin, Florida State and University of Texas-San Antonio. © Copyright Cheesehead TV 2018 All rights reserved

PROSPECT ANALYSIS: Quarterback............................................................................................. 42 Running Back........................................................................................... 52 Fullback / H-Back.................................................................................... 62 Wide Receiver........................................................................................... 71 Tight End................................................................................................... 81 Offensive Tackle....................................................................................... 91 Interior Offensive Line........................................................................... 101 Defensive Line......................................................................................... 111 Edge Rusher.............................................................................................121 Inside Linebacker................................................................................... 131 Cornerback...............................................................................................141 Safety....................................................................................................... 151 Kicker.......................................................................................................161 Punter...................................................................................................... 168 Returner.................................................................................................. 175 Packers Mock Draft................................................................................184 Packers Positional Analysis................................................................... 189

Click to return to the Table of Contents

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MEET THE DRAFT GUIDE TEAM

C.D. ANGELI Elite QB Lifespans Feature C.D. Angeli is a lifelong Packer fan and co-owner of PackersTalk.com. He's hosted the Packers podcast Cheesehead Radio for eight seasons and going strong.

You can follow his musings and bemusings on Twitter at @TundraVision. He was in the Lambeau stands for Brett Favre's first and last game, LeRoy Butler's first leap, and both Seneca Wallace's and Brett Hundley's first starts. His favorite pastime is taking any side of a Packer debate and winning convincingly. Be warned.

"JERSEY AL" BRACCO Managing Editor, OT, Packers Mock Draft Founder of PackersTalk.com and ALLGBP.com, Al and his merry band of Packers writers merged with CheeseheadTV in 2015 where he is now a part owner and Editor-In-Chief. A New Jersey native his entire life, Jersey Al became a Packers fan after watching the first Super Bowl as a child and a draftnik in the 70s when the only hope for those awful Packers teams was to draft some new players.

PETER BUKOWSKI Associate Editor, New GM & Draft Changes Feature Peter Bukowski s a freelance writer, broadcaster, and podcast host living in New York City, but born and raised in Wisconsin. He once caught a pass from Robert Brooks. You can follow him on Twitter @Peter_Bukowski.

DAN DAHLKE RB, ILB Dan Dahlke currently covers the Packers and NFL draft at the FanSided blog LombardiAve.com. He also contributes draft content to CheeseheadTV.com and DraftBreakdown.com, as well as works as a video editor for the draft site. In addition to writing and creating video cut-ups for prospects, Dan is a weekly analyst on the Packers Tundra Talk podcast.

ERIK FRETLAND S, CB Erik Fretland is an avid Packers and Sooners fan attending the University of Oklahoma. He works as a player participation analyst for Pro Football Focus and coaches middle school tennis in his spare time.

Follow him on Twitter at @erikfretland.

CHEESEHEADTV.COM 2018 PRO FOOTBALL DR AFT GUIDE

ANDREW GARDA QB, WR, NFL Mock Draft Andrew Garda (Sports On Earth, Footballguys.com, CHTV) has spent way more time than he should have on the NFL over the last ten years and is unsure if his family just thinks he's a renter who keeps a room.

He'll be in Chicago covering his seventh straight NFL draft, has been credentialed for Giants, Patriots and Eagles games, discovering that the press box spread in Philly is the superior one. He grew up a Jets fan; don't hold it against him.

“PIGSKIN PAUL” GUILLEMETTE Top 100, “He Reminds Me Of” Paul has been a draftnik for 50 years, to use a round number. He has been a football writer, website owner, podcast participant, and on-air radio personality for the last 15 years. Paul is currently associate editor and chief scout at GBNReport.com.

ANDY HERMAN DL Andy is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh and a current writer for CheeseheadTV. Andy has taken multiple courses in NFL scouting through Sports Management Worldwide and National Football Post. He appears weekly on 107.5 The Fan in Green Bay to break down film and discuss all things Packers. Andy grew up in Green Bay and is a lifelong season ticket holder; follow him on Twitter at @SconnieSports.

RALPH MANCINI TE Ralph is a New York City-based Packers supporter who has been a contributing writer for LombardiAve. com for the past two years and he's also the assistant editor of The Wave newspaper in Queens, NY.

JUSTIS MOSQUEDA Pettine Schemes Feature Justis is a Packers fan who contributes to Bleacher Report, FootballGuys and Setting the Edge, which has more five-star reviews on iTunes than Peter King's podcast. Find him on Twitter at @JuMosq.

JAKE STACK K, P Jake is a Packers fan living in Kansas City and co-host of the AP Chiefs draft show. Jake is a middle school teacher who coaches football and enjoys working with young athletes. Follow him on Twitter at @Jacobmorley

ELISHA TWERSKI NFC North Team Needs Elisha Twerski is a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan living amongst sad Jets fans in New York City. He contributes to Cheesehead TV and can be found on Twitter at @ETwPhoneHome.

ROSS UGLEM Edge, Packers Positional Analysis Ross Uglem covers North Dakota State Football and Men's Basketball for 24/7 Sports from Fargo, ND and contributes to Bison 1660 AM. Uglem also writes for CheeseheadTV, PackersTalk.com and hosts the Packers War Room Podcast on PTN. ADAM WESEMAN KR Adam is a lifelong Packer fan and draftnik for the last 10 years, living in Minnesota. He has produced draft content for NFL players and agents and this is his first year covering the draft for Cheesehead TV.

JACOB WESTENDORF IL Jacob is a graduate from the University of WisconsinGreen Bay with a journalism degree. He is a former intern at Scout.com's Packer Report where he covered the 2013 NFL draft including working on the NFL Scouting combine research series. Jacob has also been involved with Packers Talk since 2012 and has worked on separate projects and podcasts. He is currently the co-host of Pulse of the Pack.

Draft Guide Research Team:

ALEX GLOUDEMANS, JESSE MELICHAR, DAVID MICHALSKI, REID TRIER, LUKE THORNBURG, ADAM WESEMAN

OWEN RIESE FB/H-Backs

JAMES ZACHMAN Design

Owen is an Alumni of Carroll University and a former offensive lineman. He’s a contributor at SB Nation's Bucky's 5th Quarter and Acme Packing Company, as well as Inside the Pylon.

James is a Sr. Art Director at an advertising agency in downtown Chicago. This is the third year he has designed the CheeseheadTV Draft Guide. You can view his work at ZachmanDesign.com or follow him on Twitter @jzachmanjr.

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WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE EIGHTH EDITION OF THE CHEESEHEADTV PRO FOOTBALL DRAFT GUIDE! In what has been an offseason of change for the Green Bay Packers, our dedication to this project remained steadfast. The term “labor of love” might be a bit overused, but there’s just no better way to describe why we do this. It certainly isn’t for fame and fortune.

The 2017 season was a difficult one for the Packers. With Aaron Rodgers injured for the majority of the season, things quickly went awry. This is the first time we are publishing this guide after a season in which the Packers are not coming off a playoff trip, successful or otherwise.

The shock waves of a losing season reverberating through 1265 Lombardi Ave. caused some major casualties. The venerable Dom Capers was relieved of his defensive coordinator duties, a move that must have been difficult for long-time friend Mike McCarthy.

Ted Thompson, the man who drafted Aaron Rodgers in the face of much more glaring needs, was “re-assigned” to a new position with the team. The new title doesn’t matter; he’s no longer calling the shots in the front office. This supposedly

CHEESEHEADTV.COM 2018 PRO FOOTBALL DR AFT GUIDE

will allow Thompson to mostly do what he prefers, scouting players, while his former underling Brian Gutekunst takes over as general manager.

A new GM at the helm provides an interesting dilemma for our analysts who normally have years of track record to go by when trying to predict what the Packers will do in the draft. But predict they will, in our mock drafts, “fit with the Packers” sections and elsewhere in this guide. It’s worth pointing out Gutekunst said the process would remain mostly intact, a hint that the thresholds and athletic profiles the Packers prefer will live on.

The feature articles in this year’s guide tackle some interesting questions: Will the GM change bring bold moves in the draft?

When is the right time to draft a replacement for your elite quarterback? What might new DC Mike Pettine be scheming?

As always, we study and rank over 200 draft prospects, take a look at the Packers roster by position group, examine their primary draft needs, and even spend a little time on the Packers’ NFC North rivals.

Our excellent designer, James Zachman, returns and once again has outdone himself with this year’s design. The associate editor on this project is Peter Bukowski, without whom this project could not have been completed on time.

Most of our analysts return this year with

a sprinkling of new faces bringing some added “juice” to the guide. Of course, none of this would be possible without two close friends who decided to create a Packers blog over a decade ago, Corey Behnke and Aaron Nagler.

Finally, many thanks go to you, the reader, for supporting all involved by purchasing this guide and frequenting CheeseheadTV. com. Without you, CheeseheadTV would not exist and be thriving.

At CheeseheadTV our goal is simple: provide you with the best possible Packers content on a daily basis. Our site is always free for you to enjoy, no subscriptions, no paywall, no begging for donations. We absorb all of the costs of running and improving the site with help from our sponsors/advertisers.

Our annual draft guide is the only thing we ever ask you to pay for and frankly, our only financial goal is to be able to pay the people who put in all the hard work and then hopefully break even. So if you’re here reading this, our staff thanks you. If you like the guide, please tell your friends about it.

Our eighth edition is the best CHTV draft Guide yet and I’m proud to present it to the greatest fan base in the NFL. Enjoy it and Go Pack Go! “Jersey Al” Bracco /// Editor-In-Chief

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ELITE QB LIFESPANS ///

AND WHEN TO DRAFT THEIR

REPLACEMENTS

by CD Angeli

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/// FEATURE: ELITE QB LIFESPANS

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2018 season in a state of upheaval from the coaching staff to the front office and the roster. New general manager Brian Gutekunst has already made some monumental decisions, from releasing beloved wide receiver Jordy Nelson to trading away Damarious Randall for a back up quar terback. With new coordinators on both sides of the ball and a spirit that welcomes change following a disappointing 7-9 season, it’s clear the Gutekunst Era is not just the end of the Ted Thompson Era, but the start of rebuilding a team that is under the microscope of a fan base that doesn’t take kindly to losing seasons.

Gutekunst possesses one fundamental advantage as he goes about reshaping this roster: an All-World quarterback.

As aging veterans like Nelson (along with Bryan Bulaga, Randall Cobb, and Clay Matthews) undergo the scrutiny of a high salary cap hit compared to their production on the field, one player continues to be the cornerstone upon which the rest of the team is built. Aaron Rodgers proved one of two things when a collarbone injury sidelined him for nine games in 2017: either he is singlehandedly responsible for raising the level of play of the other 52 players around him, or the talent level surrounding him has been suspect for years, suddenly exposed for all to see.

It's also possible, and perhaps likely, a combination of each is true.

Simply put, the Packers are a playoff team with Aaron Rodgers under center, and without him, are not. That is an eventuality for which Green Bay must start preparing. Mark Murphy, the team president, certainly put his money behind the second explanation, replacing the venerable Thompson with Gutekunst, leading to an exodus in the front office.

Murphy also assisted head coach Mike

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McCarthy in making 13 coaching changes to his staff for 2018 (the most turnover in his twelve years as head coach). The departures of starters Nelson, Randall, and safety Morgan Burnett send a clear message Murphy is setting out to fix this team at all levels of the organization.

They can reload instead of rebuilding because the Packers still have their cornerstone. The question now becomes, for how much longer?

Aaron Rodgers turns 35 this December and enters 2018 coming off a broken collarbone. Under his present contract (as of press time), he is due $20.9 million this season, and $21 million in his final year in 2019. It’s a cap-friendly deal that would result in no dead space if Rodgers were to depart the team prior to the end of his contract at age 36.

With the pressure on for some sort of contract extension to pay Rodgers market value following massive deals by Jimmy Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins, the ante has been raised. A team desiring a franchise quarterback will be looking in the $25-30 million range for a single season. This would not only give Rodgers a raise this season, but would be an even bigger chunk of the salary cap. This could be alleviated by extending Rodgers out for several seasons and spreading out the guaranteed money.

Keeping Rodgers in the fold with a monster contract could pay off in the short term. However, as Rodgers ages, such a contract could hamstring the organization down the line.

So, we have to ask the question: how long can we reasonably expect Rodgers to continue playing, particularly at the high MVP-caliber level that he has been? And, more importantly, when do the Packers invest in the heir apparent?

This isn’t an easy question for Packer

fans, particularly those still suffering through the post-traumatic stress of the raucous departure of Brett Favre in 2008, with a young Aaron Rodgers trying to fill some very big shoes while under the glare of an unforgiving fanbase. But as with Rodgers today, there were people who believed that Favre would play forever as a Packer, The reality is, at 38 years old, Favre wasn’t the same quarterback he was when he won his three consecutive MVP trophies in the mid-1990’s. The Packers were ready to move on from his play on the field, as well as his retirement antics off it. Fortunately, the Packers had invested a first-round pick on his eventual successor in 2005. The years he spent on the bench honing his skills and allowing the game to slow down before taking the reins as starter was likely a huge factor in how his career has turned out. Any quarterback thrown to the wolves with a substandard surrounding roster can easily turn into David Carr.

The blueprint for success is there for the taking: drafting or trading for a firstround talent at quarterback, allowing him time to ride the bench and hone his craft behind Rodgers is your best bet.

The Packers are unlikely to have the cap space to afford a Kirk Cousins-type veteran down the line (and expecting a top quarterback to be on the market the same offseason Rodgers calls it quits would take a terrific stroke of luck), so finding the third Hall of Fame quarterback in a row is going to likely come from a high draft pick.

The question is how long can we expect Rodgers to play at this high level?

One approach would be to allow Rodgers to play out his current contract and be ready to replace him at the end of the 2019 season. If he’s still playing at a high level, Green Bay could simply use the franchise tag on him. That could mean

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an enormous single-year cost for a 37-year-old quarterback, but if he’s playing like Tom Brady at 37, he’s unquestionably worth the money.

Rodgers himself declared he wants to continue playing quarterback until he is 40 years old, and in his words, “right here” in Green Bay. As with Favre, the passion of Packer fans insisting a beloved player continue to play until he’s ready to retire of his own volition is something the team has to consider.

Cutting Jordy Nelson caused enough of a rumble through Packer Nation. Trading Brett Favre to the Jets fractured the fan base for years, a wound even the virtuoso play of Rodgers hasn’t healed.

And the reality is, with Drew Brees and Brady playing until their late 30’s at a high level, there’s room to believe that Rodgers (who did not even become a regular starter until he was 25) can also extend his career to that length.

It all comes down to when Rodgers will “hit the wall,” and extrapolating from there when a new quarterback will have to be in place to succeed him.

SCENARIO ONE: Rodgers Hits the Wall at Age 34-35 Quarterback QBR age 34/35 QBR age 35/36 Retired at Troy Aikman 81.1 64.3 35 Jim Kelly 81.1 73.2 36 Bart Starr 89.9 63.9 37

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Certainly, this isn’t the scenario one anyone wants, but the deterioration of muscles and compounding of injuries over time has shortened many Hall of Fame careers. The reality is while trying to come back from his collarbone injury, Rodgers’ late-season start against the Carolina Panthers forced us to witness a very mortal Aaron Rodgers struggling with his accuracy. While we can chalk that up to not being 100% recovered yet, or a lack of rhythm after a long layoff, the possibility does exist that the Aaron Rodgers we saw last December is the one we will see from here on out.

Not likely, but it does offer enough pause to wonder if the Packers need an heir apparent on the roster sooner rather than later.

SCENARIO TWO: Rodgers Hits the Wall at Age 36-37 Quarterback Fran Tarkenton Joe Montana Dan Marino

QBR age 35/36 89.3 118.4 87.8

QBR age 36/37 69.2 87.4 80.7

Retired at 38 38 38

The idea that Rodgers could conceivably hit the wall during his present contract isn’t without precedent, as the quarterbacks above can attest. Each of these players tried to extend his career a bit longer than they should have (those of a certain age will remember Dan Marino repeatedly screaming at his teammates for his own mistakes). Admittedly, all of these players started a full season by the time they were 23, so they had more games under their belt by this time than Rodgers.

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/// FEATURE: ELITE QB LIFESPANS

Father Time is most certainly hovering over Rodgers, but he does play in an era of elevated athletic training and conditioning, as well as better preventative medicine, such as stricter concussion protocols. However, if the Packers felt that either Scenario 1 or Scenario 2 would be a strong possibility, they would be wise to draft a successor this season.

The idea that the Packers would take a quarterback at 14 in this year’s draft seems almost comical, given the needs the team has particularly on defense. But the team had overwhelming needs in 2005 when the Packers took Rodgers in the first round with Favre still on the roster and the team poised for one last Super Bowl run with the ole’ gunslinger.

Considering DeShone Kizer is just 22, there’s a possibility the Randall trade was a hedge against precisely this fear. This may already be the move the Packers made for a young quarterback to sit, watch, and eventually take over.

For the sake of this piece, let’s assume that wasn’t the plan.

as well. A little undersized, Mayfield might be a return to the play of the gun-slinging style of Favre, which may not always translate to deep playoff runs, but sure could be fun to watch.

Perhaps the biggest knock on Mayfield is that he has happy feet in the pocket, but a few years on the bench learning from a quarterback who had happy feet early in his NFL career might be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Lamar Jackson, the athletic prospect from Louisville, will likely be there at 14, but would be considered a reach at that point. If he were to fall to 45 (and the Packers were to sign a free agent receiver like Jordan Matthews) it could be a high-upside move for Green Bay. SCENARIO THREE: Rodgers Hits the Wall at Age 37-38 Quarterback Peyton Manning Steve Young John Elway

QBR age 37/38 101.5 101.1 87.5

QBR age 38/39 67.9 60.9 93.0

Retired at 39 38 38

2018 FIRST-ROUND CALIBER QUARTERBACKS: Name Sam Darnold Josh Rosen Josh Allen Baker Mayfield Lamar Jackson

College USC UCLA Wyoming Oklahoma Louisville

Height 6'3" 6'4" 6'4" 6'0" 6'3"

Weight 221 210 237 216 205

40 Yd Dash 4.85 4.85 4.75 4.84 4.53

If we push the age cliff back even further, we find the fall be precipitous and without warning. The stats for Elway somewhat belie his decline: in two Super Bowl years, he was surrounded by great running backs, offensive linemen, and flanked by a dominant defense, so that he was not asked to run the entire show (unlike Rodgers). The drop-off for Manning and Young after very solid years into their late-30s was steep and sudden.

There are mock drafts with Darnold, Rosen, and Allen going in the top three picks of this year’s draft. But recall Aaron Rodgers was predicted to be the top overall pick before dropping to the bottom third of the draft where the Packers scooped him up at No. 24 overall.

This scenario, of course, depends on the Packers extending Rodgers at least another 2-3 years, which is likely. But as you tie up that kind of money in one player, you run the risk of having age or injury (or both) diminish that player rapidly before the contract expires.

Allen projects as the most likely to fall given his concerning collegiate production and unrefined play. Even Allen’s biggest fans agree he’s a raw prospect with upside, who could benefit from sitting and learning. Would there be a better quarterback to sit on a bench for a few years and learn from than Rodgers?

Allen would get a chance to learn the offense, go through Green Bay’s famous quarterback school and polish his game. He’s put in a lot of work this offseason to work on his touch, and while it still isn’t perfect, he has the work ethic to improve himself.

Allen sitting on the sidelines for a few years may be his ideal landing spot.

If the Packers brass were to believe this scenario were coming, they may want to consider investing in a top-flight quarterback in next year’s draft. A 2019 draftee would have a year or two on the sideline, taking us to 2021, when Rodgers would be turning 38.

There’s also a possibility Baker Mayfield, the bombastic quarterback from Oklahoma might be available for the Packers

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2019 FIRST-ROUND CALIBER QUARTERBACKS: Name Drew Lock Clayton Thorson Shea Patterson Jacob Eason Jarrett Stidham

College Missouri Northwestern Michigan Washington Auburn

Height 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-3

Weight 225 225 203 235 210

40 Yd Dash 4.79 4.78 4.70 4.80 4.72

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/// FEATURE: ELITE QB LIFESPANS

Obviously, there are so many variables we don’t know: where the Packers will draft in 2019, and what teams will draft ahead of them that need a quarterback. The success of the 2018 season will hinge, as it always does, on the health of Rodgers, and another lengthy injury could easily put the team right back in the top half of every round.

There’s little chance the board will look like this a year from now as injuries, development, and surprise stars will emerge.

It’s difficult enough to predict quarterbacks in the 2018 draft, much less a year from now.

That said, Green Bay shouldn’t rely on “next year’s class is better than this year’s” logic as that regularly proves not to be true.

But if the Packers believe in a more bullish timeline for Rodgers’ career, waiting could be the prudent course of action.

SCENARIO FOUR: Rodgers Hits the Wall at Age 39 or later Quarterback Brett Favre Warren Moon Drew Brees Tom Brady

QBR before drop-off QBR after drop-off Retired at 107.2 (40) 69.9 (41) 41 91.5 (39) 68.7 (40) 44 103.9 (38) 102.8 (40)

The rosiest of all possible scenarios, Aaron Rodgers plays at a high level until he is at least 39. Certainly Brees and Brady, each of whom became full-time starters at least a year younger than Rodgers, have demonstrated that the modern football era, with its quarterback-protection rules, concussion protocols, and higher levels of conditioning can produce quarterbacks that can play into their 40’s.

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Favre, of course, could be re-positioned. After 2004, Favre struggled other than two strong seasons in 2007 and 2009, so truly determining when he hit the wall is perhaps in the eye of the beholder.

This scenario really gives Packer fans and Brian Gutekunst everything they want: fans get to enjoy their beloved quarterback all the way into retirement, while Gutekunst gets to forego investing a high draft pick for the position right away when there are so many other positions in need of attention.

Thus, in this scenario, it’s possible the Rodgers’ eventual successor is still playing high school ball right now.

If Gutekunst can use the draft, free agency, and smart player management to improve the team surrounding Rodgers, we could end up with an Elway-like scenario in a few years, where Rodgers won’t be expected to lift the entire team up in order to get a win or make the playoffs.

There’s always the possibility that it all could end earlier than that. Every player is one play away from a career-ending injury.

And even though Rodgers is only technically entering his eleventh season as a full-time starter (Steve Young had nineteen full seasons as a starter before he retired), Father Time has a date in mind where Rodgers simply won’t be a top-flight NFL quarterback anymore.

But you can expect Aaron Rodgers to fight Father Time tooth and nail, all the way to retirement.

By that time, with any luck, the Packers will have their third consecutive Hall of Fame quarterback waiting in the wings to make his first start.

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WILL A NEW GM ///

BRING BOLD MOVES IN THE DRAFT?

by Peter Bukowski

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/// FEATURE: NEW GM & DRAFT CHANGES

Adapt or die. That was the clear message from the 2016 season, capped by the most embarrassing loss of the Mike McCarthy era in the NFC Championship Game to the Atlanta Falcons.

Green Bay’s virtuoso offense with Aaron Rodgers from the “Run the Table” streak vanished and the defense never bothered to get on the bus. But that was simply a prelude of things to come for the Packers in 2017.

Despite a promising start, an offseason of aggressive additions for the first time in more than a decade for Ted Thompson, the Packers floundered without Aaron Rodgers, the holes on this roster magnified by the loss of their AllWorld magic eraser.

It was an indictment of Ted Thompson, of McCarthy, and the franchise. Failings at every level cost Thompson his job along with both coordinators, a move that in the case of Dom Capers was long overdue.

A failure to adapt, to evolve offensively, defensively, or managerially led to the biggest season of upheaval in recent memor y for the Packers.

Thompson long refused to do exactly what he did in 2017: add on the margins.

Aaron Rodgers’ presence under center means the front office never had to worry about overpaying for superstars in free a genc y. But T hompson’s unwillingness to add veteran depth and provide a cushion should starters get injured, handicapped the Packers dating back half a decade at least.

It’s as if lessons like the signing of Harold Green at midseason or a preseason trade for Ryan Grant simply hadn’t been learned.

James Jones nearly single-handedly saved the 2015 Packers season, but Thompson’s reticence to consistently add these types of players, or to do so in greater numbers than “one”, handcuffed a roster on the brink of the Super Bowl seemingly every season.

Quinton Dial, signed for essentially pennies last offseason, provided critical depth on a top-10 run defense last season.

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There is a Quinton Dial on the market every offseason. There’s no need to sign Ndamukong Suh to some historic deal. Free agency and the draft doesn’t have to be binary: either a huge move or a small one.

There are shades of gray.

That said, for all the criticism about Thompson’s inability or unwillingness (or both) to fix what ails the Packers, he always knew how to respond to disaster. If that sounds like damning with faint praise, it is, but it could also provide insight into how the Packers, now with Brian Gutekunst at the helm, could respond to the disastrous 2017 season.

Ted Thompson’s final offseason in charge at 1265 Lombardi capped his career in Green Bay the opposite way spring is said go: in like a lamb, out like a lion.

When Thompson took over in 2005, his only meaningful move was to sign Adrian Klemm, a guard who made eight starts for the Packers and then never played again. In 2017, Thompson signed two starting tight ends, one a former Pro Bowler, a former starter on the defensive line and another at outside linebacker, along with a former Pro Bowl guard.

After a 4-12 season in Thompson’s first year as general manager, he went out and signed Marquand Manuel, Ryan Pickett, and Charles Woodson. His instinct, despite what became of his reputation, was to aggressively add to the roster.

In the draft, he used a top-five pick on A.J. Hawk, not his best pick to be sure, but in the second round, added picks in a trade down with the Patriots (who made an ill-fated pick with Chad Jackson) in a pick that became Greg Jennings. But before the Jennings selection, Thompson traded up in the second round to take Daryn Colledge.

Then Thompson let the seeds plant, take root and grow. For all the criticism leveled against him for his unwillingness to be aggressive, rarely do we see compliments for his patience. An

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/// FEATURE: NEW GM & DRAFT CHANGES

8-8 season in 2006, sprouted into a 13-3 ’07 in which McCarthy rejuvenated Brett Favre’s career.

Aaron Rodgers’ emergence in 2008 didn’t result in a bevy of wins, as Thompson watched the defense give up late lead after late lead. So what did the front office head do? Took a future Pro Bowl defensive tackle in the top 10, then moved back into the first round to take another future Pro Bowl defender.

It's not that easy, of course. There’s no button to press for an elite player at the top of the draft. Ask a team like the Browns or the Jets who can’t seem to get any pick right in the first round. That Thompson got those picks right proved to be critical in the development of the team. They don’t win the Super Bowl in 2010 without B.J. Raji or Clay Matthews, nor do they continue to compete without Matthews in particular over the course of their careers.

But that’s why Thompson made that move.

Draft picks are lottery tickets and the more a team has, the more chances it has to win. But the odds of each ticket aren’t the same. The odds of hitting the jackpot in

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the fourth round are much longer than in the first. Trading back into the first round cost the Packers tickets but improved their odds.

In a draft like this one, where there may only be 18 or 20 first-round players, the Packers could take a similar tact. Down the board, the talent pool falls off a cliff around 45 or 50, right when Green Bay selects in the second round. Could they use their league-high cache of draft capital to trade back into the second to select one of the last few impact players on the board?

Without any history from Gutekunst on which to draw in preparation for this draft, all we have to go off of is Thompson, though there’s certainly no guarantee he’s a TT clone (which, admittedly sounds like a Star Wars character).

Protégé’s of Thompson running other franchises certainly haven’t followed the cautious approach their mentor took. John Schneider has been one of the most aggressive GMs in the league over the course of his tenure in Seattle. John Dorsey and Reggie McKenzie have likewise used free agency much more

than Thompson to improve their rosters, but all have shown a similar adeptness at handling the draft.

Free agency hadn’t even officially begun before Gutekunst took his cues from Thompson Padowans rather than the master. The Packers signed Jimmy Graham and Muhammad Wilkerson and cut Jordy Nelson all before the new league year officially began on March 14th.

Acting with such conviction, not just in signing big-name free agents, but moving on from a fan favorite (not to mention a favorite of the star quarterback) shows a front office head unafraid to enact a plan he believes, regardless of the risk.

Trading up in the draft would truly only be a continuation of that plan to assertively remake this roster. And although we traditionally think of this team as a tradedown franchise, this trend of responding to disaster holds in the draft as well.

Thompson again broke with his reputation after the 2011 season, one that ended in heartbreak for a 15-1 team losing at home because it couldn’t get a stop. In response, Thompson traded up

13

/// FEATURE: NEW GM & DRAFT CHANGES

///

Draft picks are lottery tickets and the more a team has, the more chances it has to win.

But the odds of each ticket aren’t the same. /// twice in the second round in an attempt to add impact defenders.

Jerel Worthy turned out to be a bust, but Casey Hayward was a home run despite his struggles with injury and ultimate departure from Green Bay. The Packers inability to maximize Hayward falls squarely on the shoulders of Dom Capers.

Thompson made the right pick.

There’s a pattern here.

After the 2016 debacle, a season that spurred Thompson to eschew his usual free agent hand-sitting, the Packers traded back in the draft to pick Kevin King at a position of great need, rather than trading up. In other words, nothing about his draft strategy changed, even if his approach to free agency reflected the reality the team needed an infusion of talent.

Likewise, Gutekunst’s first major move as GM was to deal Green Bay’s best cornerback in the trade for DeShone Kizer. Do the moves in free agency potentially mean the opposite could be coming in the draft?

The details of that Damarious Randall trade could hold the key.

Swapping picks with the Browns in the fourth and fifth rounds isn’t a throw-in.

It’s a critical change. The first pick of the fourth round kicks off Day 3 and has long been a coveted spot, as is the 33rd pick for similar reasons.

The Packers hold the most picks in the league and despite a glaring hole or two, can’t roster all the players they’d be picking. There’s just no feasible way to

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maximize those selections while actually making them all, at least not for a team like the Packers. This moment, coming off a disastrous season, calls for a Ted Thompson-like response.

Gutekunst already signaled a willingness to assertively and aggressively remake this team in his image. The Nelson departure and Graham signings were evidence enough of his confidence. He wouldn’t be the first employee to take over for his boss and believe the old way of doing things wasn’t the right way. And frankly, he may very well be right about that.

Hired by Ron Wolf, Gutekunst watched a Hall of Famer and a potential future Hall of Famer work. He bore witness to the successes and failures of two of the best in the game over the last quarter century in the NFL. He doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel in Green Bay. The bones of the process work.

But he genuinely appears to recognize the need to evolve. draft and develop no longer serves as a big enough advantage, not with a rising cap and plenty of room to not only pay a team’s own players but bring in talent as well. More to the point, the cap provides room for error. A team can miss on a player like Martellus Bennett and not suffer a crushing financial blow.

Free agency provided the beginning of his story alongside those titans. Whether or not he elevates himself to belong in their company won’t be decided for many years. But we will find out in just a few short weeks if his stark departure from the team’s free agent approach carries over to a more dynamic draft.

That, in itself, wouldn’t necessarily be an aberration given Thompson’s response to major failings in the past. The 2017 season was unequivocally a failure.

Gutekunst moving up to nab preferred talent would actually be in keeping with the Thompson doctrine.

If he does trade up in the draft, targeting another first or second-round pick, all we’ll have learned is he is willing to react to disaster as Thompson would have. If it’s an approach he continues a year from now—hopefully not following another disaster—we’ll have evidence to suggest Gutekunst departs from his mentor in more ways than just free agency.

But that alone isn’t enough to prove he can be just as good at team building as Thompson, let alone better. Aggression isn’t an inherent good. He still has to hit on these picks and on his signings.

We see examples every year of teams adding for the sake of addition and not getting better.

What it would signal is a willingness to adapt a method that already works.

Thompson, for his part, no longer calls the shots in large part because of his own stubbornness, an unwillingness to evolve.

Simply recognizing the need for evolution should be considered a net positive for the new front office, including a reorganization throughout the franchise from Mark Murphy.

They’re adapting. Now it’s time to see if that’s enough to not only keep them alive, but thrive.

14

/// WHAT MIGHT NEW PACKERS DC

MIKE PETTINE BE SCHEMING? ///

by Justis Mosqueda

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15

/// FEATURE: PETTINE SCHEMES

In 2009, Mike Pettine and Dom Capers each found jobs as defensive coordinators. For the next two years, one could argue Pettine's New York Jets and Capers' Green Bay Packers were the best defenses over that span. Unfortunately for the Packers, Capers was unable to keep up with the consistency Pettine has had since.

mold for their respective positions. Kyle Fuller, the Chicago Bears cornerback the Packers offered a contract to while he was under the transition tag (which the Bears quickly matched), hit Green Bay’s perceived height and speed thresholds while just missing (by 0.03 seconds) the perceived three-cone threshold.

We’re going to go ahead and call that one close enough.

From 2011 to 2017, Capers defenses bounced up and down from slightly above-average to downright bad. On the flipside, Pettineled defenses in New York, Buffalo and Cleveland (until his last year there) were consistently among the top quarter in the league. By the time Capers, then the longest-tenured defensive coordinator in the sport, lost his job, Pettine went from a rising star defensive coordinator, flopped in Year 2 as a head coach, left the league and resurfaced in Seattle as a consultant.

Last offseason, we heard rumors about Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer landing in Green Bay in the second round. The team eventually selected Washington cornerback Kevin King, but one year later, the Packers traded former first-round pick Damarious Randall for Kizer. Every single move that Gutekunst has made this offseason has painted a portrait of him as a free agency-active version of Thompson.

So, if Gutekunst is going to mimic Thompson, why should When the Packers announced Pettine as their new defensive we expect the Packers' draft approach to change this year? coordinator in January, it was only after football's lifetime To understand that, you need to grasp the differences between equivalent tenure of Capers in Green Bay. The switch from the Capers defense and the Pettine defense. After watching Capers to Pettine will not only impact scheme, but it should a handful of games from Pettine's Jets, Bills and Browns impact what type of players stints, it has become clear to Green Bay targets in the draft. me that Green Bay fans will see The pairing of Capers and a more diverse defense this The switch from Capers to Pettine general manager Ted Thompson, coming season. who also lost his duties after the will not only impact scheme, but it 2017 regular season (though he While Capers threw out many should impact what type of players exotic looks, the basis of what was retained in the front office), made it easy to predict what type he was trying to do was always Green Bay targets in the draft. of athletes that the squad would the same. He valued sacks (365 select in the draft in recent years. under Capers, the fifth-most in the NFL 2009 -2017) and In a series I wrote for Cheesehead interceptions (176 under Capers, TV called "Being Ted Thompson," the most in the NFL 2009-2017) I took a deep dive into the Packers' draft tendencies, ranging more than anything else. To accomplish goals in those from avoiding small cornerbacks in a post-Ahmad Carroll world categories, Capers played a pattern-matching zone which to how they value the short area quickness drills when evaluating demanded premium athletes in the secondary and on the line offensive linemen. Under a new general manager, one could of scrimmage, where linemen were mostly asked to shoot gaps guess that they may not strictly stick to these guidelines. With rather than play on top of offensive linemen and keep that being said, Thompson’s replacement, first-year general linebackers clean. manager Brian Gutekunst, essentially confirmed at the combine that the post-Thompson team would still look, at least athletically, With a general manager like Thompson, who almost never similar to the generation prior. When measurables were brought looked at free agency, on a team that was often drafting later up, he said, “I think we have a long history with that stuff and in the first round, it was difficult to find ready-to-start defenders that will probably remain the same.” He also stated, “Our process in Capers' complicated pattern-matching zone scheme. The is going to stay the same. The evaluation part of it, the medical team often had to find diamonds in the rough that took years part of it, that all kind of stays the same.” to develop, making rookies less immediately impactful in Green Bay than elsewhere in the league. The team's refusal to re-sign At the time of this writing, Gutekunst already broke his players like Casey Hayward and Micah Hyde in the secondary predecessor’s notoriously conservative free agent approach but eventually took a toll on the structure that Capers and the types of his players he targeted did not. His two major Thompson built. You can only lose so many veteran defensive signings, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson and tight backs in that scheme, without supplementing them through end Jimmy Graham, have been cast straight from the Thompson free agency, and stay afloat.

///

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16

/// FEATURE: PETTINE SCHEMES

Pettine's defensive goals are more well-rounded. While he doesn't line up in Capers' exotic formations, what he tries to accomplish

TRUE 3-4: EDGEs: 9s / IDL: 5s and 0

9 5

22: EDGEs: 6s / IDL: 2s

0

5 9

6

2

2

6

on a down to down basis is more varied. For example, here are his run-stopping formations: Above is a true 3-4 defense. Very rarely did Capers' 3-4 defense actually line up like this, with linemen over the center and offensive tackles. In this formation, defensive linemen either have to read the offensive lineman in front of them, as run-first defenders, or slant into a gap, which is disguised by their alignment. This is very different from Capers' 3-4 defense, where he would line defensive linemen up in a single gap and let them shoot.

4-3/NICKEL/DIME: EDGEs: 6s / IDL: 3 and 1

6

3

Above is a four-man front that has similar principals as a 3-4 defense on the inside. The six-technique defenders are no different than defensive ends in a 4-3 scheme, but the defensive tackles on top of the guards are essentially 3-4 defensive linemen. They either read or slant to the side of an offensive lineman rather than just shoot the gap they line up in.

In the true 3-4 defense and the "22", larger linemen like Kenny Clark, Muhammad Wilkerson and Dean Lowery will be utilized.

Unfortunately, this puts undersized linemen who excel in penetration, like star Mike Daniels, in a tough position.

33: EDGEs: 6s / IDL: 3s

1

6

6

3

3

6

Below are Pettine's penetrating formations: Above is a basic 4-3 front on the line of scrimmage. This one is pretty self-explanatory since it was seen often in the Capers era, both in their "3-4" looks and their nickel and dime sub-packages.

There are two edge defenders who keep containment on the edges with a B-gap (three-technique) defender and an A-gap (one-technique) defender on the inside. That B-gap defender (think Daniels) is the key to this front as an interior penetrator.

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In obvious passing downs, Pettine has come out in what amounts to be a 4-3 defense with two three-techniques. This puts both offensive tackles and both guards in one-on-one situations with defensive linemen. Players like Daniels won't get completely lost in the shuffle because Pettine still frequently uses threetechnique defenders on passing downs, but interior defensive linemen will have much more specific roles and situations that

17

/// FEATURE: PETTINE SCHEMES

plan of action was.

33–LB DOUBLE A: EDGEs: 6s / IDL: 3s

9 6 5 3 B0 B 3 5 6 9

• The need for athletic linebackers who can drop into coverage after standing on top of centers in double A-gap looks. This again is a pretty significant shift, as the team didn't draft an off-the-ball linebacker in the first two days of the draft in the entire Capers era.

they play in moving forward.

It's also worth noting that the same "33" formation that puts two three-techniques on the field is the same formation that Pettine drops double A-gap pressure into with linebackers.

Lining up linebackers on the line of scrimmage on top of the center is a risky play because it leaves just five players off of the line of scrimmage. It can only work if you have athletic linebackers who can drop back into coverage, to keep teams honest, out of that same formation. You only have to look at the Packers' NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings to see how that can make for its own defensive ecosystem.

SEATTLE: EDGEs: 6s / IDL: Shade and 3 (DEs)

6

• A de-emphasis in a three-down three-technique. While the team still needs a quality three-technique, sometimes two on the same field at once, it's not a given that a penetrating defensive lineman will play on a vast majority of run downs like the case was in the Capers era. Those players, depending on the game flow, could be used more like specialists than starters.

S3

6

• Little change in the use of edge defenders. Depth in edge defenders, with the possibility of those four-defensive end formations, will be as stressed under Pettine as it was under Capers, who used many pass-rushers in exotic formations.

This is very different from, say, the 2016-2017 New York Giants, who basically just used two edge defenders in Jason PierrePaul and Oliver Vernon, and the 2016-2017 Minnesota Vikings, who just had a three-man rotation in Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter and Brian Robison.

The difference between what Capers and Pettine ask of interior defensive linemen could make for the largest swing in draft philosophy between the Thompson and Gutekunst administrations. If we were to split the top interior defensive line prospects in this draft class into categories, this is how they should be classified: • Five-technique linemen, run-first linemen with length who can line up on and read offensive tackles: Bilal Nichols (Delaware), R.J. McIntosh (Miami) and Breeland Speaks (Mississippi)

This isn't a formation that I saw when watching Pettine's defenses specifically, but it has been a third-down staple for the Seattle Seahawks, where he just left as a consultant. Seattle often played four defensive ends on the line on third and fourth down with three lined up in the A, B and C-gap on the same side of the line. They had a combination of stunts they could run on top of just straight one-on-one pass-rushing attempts.

Compared to Capers' 2009-2017 run, Pettine's defensive scheme will likely demand: • More run-first interior defensive linemen than in the Capers era. His willingness to play defensive linemen on top of tackles, guards and centers is a pretty significant shift from what Capers'

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• Three-technique linemen, penetrating linemen you want in one-on-one situations with guards: Maurice Hurst (Michigan), Nathan Shepherd (Fort Hays State), Taven Bryan (Florida), Poona Ford (Texas), and DaShawn Hand (Alabama) • Two-technique and one-technique linemen, run-first linemen who can line up on guards and have enough versatility to penetrate: Da'Ron Payne (Alabama), Harrison Phillips (Stanford), Deadrin Senat (South Florida) and Derrick Nnadi (Florida State) • Zero-technique linemen, run-first linemen who almost exclusively play influence the ground game: Vita Vea (Washington), Folorunso Fatukasi (UConn) and Tim Settle (Virginia Tech) Welcome to the new era of Green Bay defense.

18

NFC NORTH TEAM NEEDS ///

by Elisha Twerski

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19

/// NFCN TEAM NEEDS

GREEN BAY PACKERS 2017 RECAP: Some might look at the Packers’ 2017 season as an unmitigated disaster, missing the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons. Others might see it as a blessing in disguise. The injury to Aaron Rodgers in Week 6 exposed the glaring deficiencies on the Packers roster and within the structure of the organization. His absence all but confirmed the theory that he was the Febreze that covered up the stink.

Let’s start with what went right: Kenny Clark emerged as one of the league’s best young defensive tackles. Davante Adams cemented himself as Green Bay’s top receiver. Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams showed promise in the running game. Damarious Randall closed out the season playing his best football. Finally, Blake Martinez took a much-needed leap in his second year, though he was still a liability in coverage.

The list of what went wrong is significantly longer: Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone … that was a big one. The Packers and Mike McCarthy’s “quarterback school” failed to adequately prepare Brett Hundley and

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RECORD /// 7-9 compounded on that failure by not bringing in another option. It certainly did not help that McCarthy’s game plans were as inconsistent as Hundley himself.

Even the most casual fan could see the pass rush needed to be improved going into the season, yet Ted Thompson failed to properly address it. Despite the team investing five first and second-round picks in the secondary since 2014, the back end of Green Bay’s defense struggled mightily for much of the season. As it had for most of the prior six seasons, Dom Capers’ defense as a whole looked befuddled, confused, and poorly coached whenever they took the field.

While the 2017 season was hard to bear for most Cheeseheads, it was also in many ways a necessity. For a team as notoriously stubborn as the Packers, a season of this nature was the only scenario that would bring about change. The atrocious season prompted the firing of Dom Capers, who was the longest-tenured defensive coordinator in the league and probably should have been shown the door years ago. It also led Mike McCarthy to the

realization that he needed help overhauling the playbook, and he brought in former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to aid in that endeavor. Finally, the dreadful season induced the demotion of general manager Ted Thompson, with a more aggressive-minded Brian Gutekunst taking his place.

Gutekunst will have his work cut out for him, as Thompson’s philosophies left the team with a bucket load of holes. The team needs an influx of talent at cornerback, though that’s likely to still be addressed in the third wave of free agency following the return of Tramon Williams. The lack of quality pass rushers on the roster is not something that can once more be ignored.

The situation at receiver is murky at best beyond Davante Adams and they will likely look for speed at the position on Day 2 of the draft. The departure of Morgan Burnett in free agency means Green Bay will have to add a body or two at the safety position. The team also has needs at right guard, inside linebacker, and tackle.

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/// NFCN TEAM NEEDS

GREEN BAY PACKERS RECORD /// 7-9 EDGE RUSHER: The Packers went into last offseason in desperate need of additional edge rushers, and for the most part, the front office ignored it. So far in 2018, Brian Gutekunst seems to be taking a similar inside-out approach that helped the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl. The gist of this approach is that the pass rush is the linchpin of the defense, and that a good pass rush can make a pedestrian secondary look elite. The addition of Muhammad Wilkerson should go a long way in opening up one-on-one rushing opportunities on the edge. That being said, Clay Matthews is not as disruptive as he used to be, while Nick Perry is more of an edge-setter than a pass rusher. Boston College’s Harold Landry would be an ideal fit at the 14th pick and should be able to contribute immediately. Another highceiling prospect who fits what the Packers look for could be UTSA’s Marcus Davenport, though his lack of polish and level of competition in college could hinder his ability to be an impactful player early on. Oklahoma’s Ogbonnia Okoronkwo might be the draft’s most polished pass rusher (his tape is ridiculous), and he’s projected to go in the middle of the second round, which fits with where the Packers will be picking.

CORNERBACK: The Packers have one of the weakest cornerback groups in the NFL despite their aforementioned investment in the position.

The Packers are likely better off building up their front seven, and that should help improve their secondary. Tramon Williams is a welcome addition for the current cornerback group.

Moreover, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Gutekunst add another veteran corner (I.e Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Delvin Breaux, or Bashaud Breeland) before the draft. The Packers do need to add slot defenders, even if they think Quinten Rollins can play at a high level. Ohio State’s Denzel Ward has the potential to make a Marshon Lattimore-type difference in his rookie season, however, the Packers would likely have to trade up in order to get him. Mike Pettine prefers corners with size, and Iowa’s Josh Jackson definitely fits the bill even if the 14th pick may be a little rich for him.

WIDE RECEIVER: Gone are the days where a matchup with Green Bay’s receiving corps would give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares.

With Jordy Nelson in Oakland, the Packers don’t have much talent beyond Davante Adams and Randall Cobb, and Cobb is a free agent next year. It should be noted, though, Jimmy Graham is a de facto receiver and will spend most of his time split out

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wide. Ted Thompson had an inordinate amount of success selecting receivers on the second day of the draft. Here’s to hoping that Gutekunst follows suit. A few prospects that could interest Green Bay in round two and would add some muchneeded speed to Mike McCarthy’s offense are: Maryland’s D.J. Moore, Oklahoma State’s James Washington, Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk, and LSU’s D.J. Chark.

INSIDE LINEBACKER: In an era where teams covet off-ball linebackers with sidelineto-sideline speed, the Packers under Ted Thompson had devalued it. Mike Pettine, who coached David Harris in New York, should hope that Brian Gutekunst is more adaptive to current times. If the Packers are indeed trying to replicate the roster that won the Eagles a championship last year, they will need a linebacker who excels in coverage, similar to what Philadelphia had in Nigel Bradham. Luckily for Green Bay, there are a few solid options in this draft. Georgia’s Roquan Smith would be a dream get for the Packers, while Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds will also be an intriguing option in the first round. Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch would be a good fit should he drop to Green Bay in the second round, but he’s getting some buzz as a first-round player. Making a move on him at 14 would be a reach.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Jahri Evans did a decent enough job filling in at right guard last year. Nevertheless, it would be surprising if the Packers chose to bring him back in 2018. It is a safe bet to assume the Packers will go with one of the players that is currently on their roster at right guard, with Justin McCray being the early favorite.

At tackle, the Packers have quite possibly the best bookends in the league. All that said, there’s no doubt that they have to find some insurance for Bryan Bulaga in the draft.

SAFETY: The Packers anticipated the loss of Morgan Burnett last year and drafted Josh Jones to be his replacement. Kentrell Brice has shown some flashes when he has been healthy. That being said, they could certainly stand to benefit from adding more talent at the position. Florida State’s Derwin James would be a home run pick who likely won’t make it to 14. Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick would make a lot of sense as well, given his ability to cover the slot.

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/// NFCN TEAM NEEDS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS RECORD /// 13-3 2017 RECAP: Thanks to Case Keenum and Anthony Barr, the Vikings were able to win the North and earn the second seed in the NFC. The Vikings boasted the league’s stingiest defense, allowing just 15.8 points and 275.9 yards per game. Rookie running back Dalvin Cook looked like a stud before a torn ACL ended his season in Week 4.

Receiver Adam Thielen posted a career season, hauling in 91 receptions for 1,276 yards. Minnesota advanced to the NFC Championship due to a brutal missed tackle by New Orleans safety Marcus Williams. With a chance to become the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium, the Vikings took an early 7-0 lead against the Eagles and then proceeded to allow 38 unanswered points to the eventual Super Bowl Champs.

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INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE: The Vikings offensive line improved dramatically from 2016 to 2017, but there’s still work to be done. Right guard Joe Berger is a free agent, and reportedly leaning towards retirement. Left guard Nick Easton should be back to start the season, but he’s not a guarantee to stay healthy. In a draft that is not lacking interior offensive lineman, the Vikings could benefit from double-dipping at the position.

DEFENSIVE LINE: For the 2018 season, the defensive line looks to be one of the strongest groups on the Vikings roster. After the season ends, the Vikings will have little cap space to work with and three pending free agents in Danielle Hunter, Brian Robison, and Sheldon Richardson. With few glaring needs at other positions, look for the Vikings to think about their future with some of their early and late picks.

WIDE RECEIVER: Much like their defensive line group, the wide receiving corps looks pretty solid for 2018. They did release Jarius Wright due to cap reasons, but I would expect former first-round pick Laquan Treadwell to get every opportunity to earn the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. With Stefon Diggs set to hit free agency in 2019, expect the Vikings to add some insurance and competition at receiver.

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/// NFCN TEAM NEEDS

DETROIT LIONS RECORD /// 9-7 2017 RECAP: The Lions didn’t let a 3-1 start get in the way of their traditional middle-of-thepack finish. Their 9-7 record led to the firing of head coach Jim Caldwell and hiring of Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia in his place. Detroit has no shortages of holes to fill in the draft, whether it’s starters or lack of depth.

DEFENSIVE LINE: The Lions don’t have much to write home about on the interior or exterior of their defensive line. They lost Haloti Ngata and while they did retain Ezekiel Ansah, he’s too inconsistent to single-handedly make a difference. It would be an upset if they didn’t come away with an end or (defensive) tackle on either of the first two days of the draft.

TIGHT END: The situation at tight end wasn’t great when they still had Eric Ebron and Darren Fells, and it’s even worse now that they’re both gone. The Lions have a dire need for an influx of talent at the position. Signing Luke Wilson helps, though it isn’t quite enough to fill that need. Detroit should be one of the teams that targets a tight end early.

RUNNING BACK: The addition of LeGarrette Blount does nothing to alleviate the need for the Lions to add an impact runner in the draft. Ameer Abdullah hasn’t lived up to expectations and is set to hit free agency in 2019. Furthermore, the rest of the backs on their roster are depth pieces at best. Finding a dynamic running back at some point in the draft should be one of Detroit’s top priorities.

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/// NFCN TEAM NEEDS

CHICAGO BEARS RECORD /// 5-11 2017 RECAP: The Mike Glennon experiment lasted all of four games for the Bears before they handed the reins over to second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. The first quarterback taken—ahead of breakout star Deshaun Waston—had his moments but could only do so much given the total lack of weapons. The Bears wasted no time addressing their offense, acquiring Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Trey Burton in the first few days of free agency.

OFFENSIVE LINE: By deciding to decline Josh Sitton’s option, the Bears left themselves in need of a starting guard and right tackle. There’s a slight, albeit very slight possibility that Quenton Nelson will drop to the eight pick, and if that happens, the Bears should run to the podium.

LINEBACKER: Parnell McPhee, Willie Young, Christian Jones, Jerrell Freeman: those are the linebackers that either left or were cut by the Bears this offseason. Free agent signee Aaron Lynch has some upside at outside linebacker, but he’s merely a lottery ticket at this point. Bradley Chubb (unlikely), Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Harold Landry, and Marcus Davenport are all possibilities in the first round.

DEFENSIVE LINE: The Bears lost Mitch Unrein to the Buccaneers in free agency and while not spectacular, he was certainly more than serviceable. They do have some players on their roster that can fight for his spot, though they would undoubtedly benefit from some competition along their defensive line.

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24

WHO DOES HE COMPARE TO ///

IN THE NFL? It’s the questions fans ask most during the offseason and is one even coaches and scouts use as evaluation tools. There aren’t always clean answers. NFL players are, after all, unique for a reason. It takes individual and supreme ability to get to the highest level of the game.

But it’s also one of the most fun parts of the process. Pigskin Paul jumps around the 2018 class to offer his view on certain players in this draft and which current NFLers they could one day resemble.

by “Pigskin Paul” Guillemette

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25

/// HE REMINDS ME OF

DUKE EJIOFOR /// EDGE Wake Forest "HE REMINDS ME OF" CHRIS

LONG

A young man who was a bit under the radar this past season is Wake Forest defensive end Duke Ejiofor. Duke has been hindered of late with some injury woes that have prevented him from participating in postseason activities like the Senior Bowl and combine. His play last season, prior to injury reminded me Chris Long at Virginia. Neither player is an elite athlete, although Long clearly got the benefit of the doubt coming out of UVA because of his genetic connection to NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long.

Long was seriously over-drafted in the first round, which will not happen with Ejiofor.

But non-stop motors with functional strength and quickness make them both desirable starters for most NFL teams. Though not sack masters, they both can pressure the pocket with relentless effort. Look for the Wake standout to be taken in Round 2/3 and have a solid, if not great, pro career similar to Long.

ANTHONY MILLER /// WR Memphis "HE REMINDS ME OF" ANTONIO

BROWN

Perhaps my most exciting comp for this year’s draft is of another guy who was injured late in the season (bowl game) and has missed postseason opportunities to display his wares. I am referring to former walk-on receiver Anthony Miller of Memphis. This young man has decent speed, and even more impressive quickness to his game. He is also a very smooth, natural hands catcher, who makes some pretty incredible grabs on marginally accurate throws. His hand positioning is stunning, and after the grab he’s like a water bug for defenders to bring down. I have been marveling at his work and touting him as a major prospect for two seasons now. He reminds me greatly of another receiver I was very high on (before it was fashionable) when a guy named Antonio Brown was performing magic in the MAC some years ago. Miller even has a size advantage over Brown measuring just over 5’11", 200 at the combine. He also has nice long 10” hands. NFL teams willing to use Miller like the Steelers have used Brown could find themselves with a dynamic weapon in their passing attack.

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/// HE REMINDS ME OF

VITA VEA /// DT Washington "HE REMINDS ME OF" HALOTI

NGATA / DONTARI POE

I like scoring in my football games just as much as the next guy, but I also still see football as a big man’s game at its most basic level. Accordingly, a hulking prospect like Vita Vea always fascinates and excites me. And have no doubt that Vea is truly special. At the combine he measured in at 6’4", 347 and still posted a 5.10/40-time, despite pulling a hamstring. He looks like a sumo wrestler throwing blockers and ball carriers around out on the field. His stamina is uncommon for a man his size.

He takes less plays off than most giants I have watched over the years. To be honest with you, I am torn between comparisons to two of my most dominant players on the defensive interior this century in Haloti Ngata and Dontari Poe. Pick whichever of the two suits your fancy, but mark my words that like Poe and Ngata, Vea has the size and athleticism to absolutely dominate the line of scrimmage for a decade or more in the NFL. Some team wishing to dominate up front will grade him in the top 12 picks of the 2018 draft.

SAM HUBBARD /// DE Ohio State "HE REMINDS ME OF" MIKE

VRABEL

Count me among those who think Sam Hubbard will be an even more impactful pro player than he was in college for the Buckeyes. Watching him in action the past three years, I feel pretty strongly that he was in such a talented DL group that his stats are understated because of shared playing time. Even though he measured a full 6’5” and weighed in at 270 at the recent combine he should be able to stand up and play in limited coverage situations. In fact, much like the guy I am going to compare him to, it appears to me that he could even fill the role as a red zone tight end option. The Mr. Versatile he reminds me of is another former Buckeye, who just got the job as Head Coach of the Titans: Mike Vrabel. His primary talent in the NFL will likely be as a pass rusher, from various spots in his team’s defense. But like Vrabel he could do much more for his team if he’s fortunate to play under a creative NFL defensive coordinator.

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/// HE REMINDS ME OF

KOLTON MILLER /// OT UCLA "HE REMINDS ME OF" NATE

SOLDER

One of the rising prospects as we head toward the draft is UCLA tackle Kolton Miller, an underclassman whose application for inclusion in the 2018 draft was a bit of a surprise to many draftniks. His talent is undeniable, but he certainly fits in the category of “unpolished” at his craft. By the same token, he demonstrated his athleticism at the combine and now sits as a likely first-round pick. He is a very long player (6’8 ½”) and clearly will need to add a few pounds of muscle to his lean 308-pound frame. Miller was one of the only offensive line prospects to post a sub-5 second 40-time. He also impressed with 24 bench reps with 34 1/8” arms. Miller clearly measures as an outlier on the NFL size norm for his position group at his height, but there have been a few players that tall to make a mark as a pro. Looking around the league I see a very clear comp player currently in the NFL for Miller: new Giants tackle Nate Solder. The former Patriot and University of Colorado prospect measures 6’8”, 325 but he weighed closer to what Miller weighs now when he first came into the league. Solder is a bit unsung, but he’s been protecting the blindside of a guy named Brady for seven years. I remember the Pats being second-guessed a bit when they drafted Solder, a former tight end early in his college career in Boulder.

But things have worked out nicely for Solder—who just became the highest paid lineman in history—and it looks as though Miller could be the next coming.

COURTLAND SUTTON /// WR SMU "HE REMINDS ME OF" ALSHON

JEFFERY

The trend of each NFL team attempting to balance their receiving corps with sizespecific players is growing. The template seems to consist of three distinct body/skill set athletes: a small, but quick slot receiver; a speed burner as a true wideout/deep threat; a large possession receiver. The latter example uses his height and length to screen off defenders and make the leaping catch, or back-shoulder throw catch from the QB. It may not be easy as it sounds to find quality in all three types and match them up out on the field. For those team looking for the latter of the three, the top candidate in the upcoming draft may well be Courtland Sutton of SMU. At 6’3” and 213 pounds he fits the prototype quite well. Despite his size he still ran a very respectable 4.54 40 at the combine to go along with his big mits. Watching film of his college play I couldn’t help but think of Eagles star Alshon Jeffery. Their size and length make them a nightmare coverage assignment for most NFL corners who are two to four inches shorter and can’t play through their bodies to the ball when thrown accurately. Look for some NFL team with smaller receivers currently on their roster to target Sutton as early as the late first round.

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/// HE REMINDS ME OF

DERRIUS GUICE /// RB LSU "HE REMINDS ME OF" FRANK

GORE

Most draft watchers currently consider LSU star Derrius Guice to be the second best running back in the draft, right behind a guy named Barkley. Guice measured in at a solid 224 pounds, packed onto a 5’ 10 ¼” frame at Indy. He was more than ready to step up and replace Leonard Fournette as the LSU bell cow runner, after putting up some solid numbers when Fournette had an injury-plagued 2016 season. He runs hard, and angry with a solid combination of power, speed (4.49 40) and has shown he is more than capable as a receiving threat. Defenders trying to bring him down pay a price for doing so. I liken him quite a bit to ex-49ers star Frank Gore. Who knows if the football gods will allow Guice to enjoy such a long, successful run as a pro, but I’m pretty sure some veteran defenders are not going to enjoy tackling Guice any more than they have Mr. Gore.

QUENTON NELSON /// IL Notre Dame "HE REMINDS ME OF" LARRY

ALLEN

///

It has been quite a while since I have heard as much ballyhoo about a guard prospect surrounds Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson. This athletic mauler has been mentioned as a likely top-10 pick, if not top-5. And why not? He checked every box at the combine.

He measured 6’5’’ and weighed 325pounds with 10 3/8” hands and 33 ¾” arms. I even heard some talk about a needy NFL team trying to convert him to tackle. I’m sure he could handle that assignment with time, but why mess with an immediate Pro Bowl candidate who is adept at both run blocking and pass-pro on the inside? There are obvious comparisons with former Notre Dame star Zack Martin and while he’s been a Pro Bowler for the Cowboys, he has nowhere near Nelson’s overall size and athleticism.

My comp for him is the great Larry Allen. Yes … the Larry Allen, who was dominant for his entire 15-year career as a Cowboy. Nelson is that big, strong and athletic. He also seems to have that desire to be the best that drove Allen to his success.

///

EXTRAS

CHEESEHEADTV.COM 2018 PRO FOOTBALL DR AFT GUIDE

MIKE GESICKI Penn State RONNIE HARRISON Alabama MARCUS DAVENPORT UTSA ROQUAN SMITH Georgia JEROME BAKER Ohio State

= = = = =

GREG OLSEN Panthers LANDON COLLINS Giants ZIGGY ANSAH Lions DEION JONES Falcons DARRON LEE Jets

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5

TOP 100 PROSPECTS ///

by “Pigskin Paul” Guillemette

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/// TOP 100 PROSPECTS

1

1............SAQUON BARKLEY /// RB Penn State 2............QUENTON NELSON /// OG Notre Dame 3............TREMAINE EDMUNDS /// LB Virginia 4............MINKAH FITZPATRICK /// S Alabama 5............BRADLEY CHUBB /// DE NC State 6............SAM DARNOLD /// QB USC 7............JOSH ROSEN /// QB UCLA 8............DERWIN JAMES /// S Florida State 9............VITA VEA /// DT Washington

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10............JOSH ALLEN /// QB Wyoming 11............DENZEL WARD /// CB Ohio State 12............ROQUAN SMITH /// LB Georgia

13............MARCUS DAVENPORT /// DE UTSA

14............BAKER MAYFIELD /// QB Oklahoma

15............CALVIN RIDLEY /// WR Alabama

16............DA’RON PAYNE /// DT Alabama

17............DERRIUS GUICE /// RB LSU

18............JAIRE ALEXANDER /// CB Louisville

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19............MIKE GESICKI /// TE Penn State 20............KOLTON MILLER /// OT UCLA 21............CHRISTIAN KIRK /// WR Texas A&M 22............LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH /// LB Boise State 23............LAMAR JACKSON /// QB Louisville 24............RONNIE HARRISON /// S Alabama 25............MIKE MCGLINCHEY /// OT Notre Dame

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/// TOP 100 PROSPECTS

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26.......... TAVEN BRYAN /// DT Florida 27.......... COURTLAND SUTTON /// WR SMU 28.......... CONNOR WILLIAMS /// OT Texas 29.......... RASHEEM GREEN /// DL USC 30.......... RASHAAN EVANS /// LB Alabama 31.......... DONTE JACKSON /// CB LSU 32.......... DJ CHARK /// WR LSU 33.......... HAROLD LANDRY /// ER Boston College 34.......... MARK ANDREWS /// TE Oklahoma

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35.......... JAMES DANIELS /// OC Iowa 36.......... SAM HUBBARD /// DE Ohio State 37.......... WILL HERNANDEZ /// OG UTEP 38.......... ARDEN KEY /// ER LSU 39.......... BILLY PRICE /// OC Ohio State 40.......... JEROME BAKER /// LB Ohio State 41.......... DALLAS GOEDERT /// TE South Dakota 42.......... HARRISON PHILLIPS /// DT Stanford 43.......... RASHAAD PENNY /// RB San Diego State

50

44.......... DJ MOORE /// WR Maryland 45.......... JOSH JACKSON /// CB Iowa 46.......... HAYDEN HURST /// TE South Carolina 47.......... SONY MICHEL /// RB Georgia 48.......... ISAIAH WYNN /// OG Georgia 49.......... ANTHONY MILLER /// WR Memphis 50.......... MALIK JEFFERSON /// LB Texas

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/// TOP 100 PROSPECTS

56

51.......... JAMES WASHINGTON /// WR Oklahoma State 52.......... BRADEN SMITH /// OG Auburn 53.......... RONALD JONES /// RB USC 54.......... DANTE PETTIS /// WR Washington 55.......... NICK CHUBB /// RB Georgia 56.......... MASON RUDOLPH /// QB Oklahoma State 57.......... MIKE HUGHES /// CB UCF 58.......... TYRELL CROSBY /// OT Oregon 59.......... JESSIE BATES /// S Wake Forest

60

60.......... ISAIAH OLIVER /// CB Colorado 61.......... CEDRIC WILSON /// WR Boise State 62.......... UCHENNA NWOSU /// OB USC 63.......... JUSTIN REID /// S Stanford 64.......... AUSTIN CORBETT /// OG Nevada 65.......... CARLTON DAVIS /// CB Auburn 66.......... DARIUS LEONARD /// LB South Carolina State 67.......... KYLE LAULETTA /// QB Richmond 68.......... BJ HILL /// DT NC State

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69.......... EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN /// WR Notre Dame 70.......... NATHAN SHEPHERD /// DT Fort Hays State 71.......... TRENTON THOMPSON /// DT Georgia 72.......... BRIAN O’NEILL /// OT Pitt 73.......... SCOTT QUESSENBERRY /// OC UCLA 74.......... DUKE EJIOFOR /// DE Wake Forest 75.......... ALLEN LAZARD /// WR Iowa State

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/// TOP 100 PROSPECTS

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76.......... AUDEN TATE /// WR Florida State 77.......... MICHAEL GALLUP /// WR Colorado State 78.......... ROYCE FREEMAN /// RB Oregon 79.......... TIM SETTLE /// DT Virginia Tech 80.......... KERRYON JOHNSON /// RB Auburn 81.......... TRE’QUAN SMITH /// WR UCF 82.......... SIMMIE COBBS /// WR Indiana 83.......... LORENZO CARTER /// OB Georgia 84.......... MASON COLE /// OC Michigan

85

85.......... MAURICE HURST /// DT Michigan 86.......... JAYLEN SAMUELS /// ATH NC State 87.......... MARCUS ALLEN /// S Penn State 88.......... BRANDON FACYSON /// CB Virginia Tech 89.......... DORANCE ARMSTRONG, JR /// OB Kansas 90.............CHUKWUMA OKORAFOR /// OT Western Michigan 91.......... DAESEAN HAMILTON /// WR Penn State 92.......... HOLTON HILL /// CB Texas 93.......... MARTINAS RANKIN /// OG Mississippi State

97

94.......... MIKE WHITE /// QB Western Kentucky 95.......... ANDREW BROWN /// DL Virginia 96.......... DEON CAIN /// WR Clemson 97.......... TYQUAN LEWIS /// DE Ohio State 98.......... DANIEL CARLSON /// K Auburn 99.......... QUENTON MEEKS /// DB Stanford 100.......... TARVARUS MCFADDEN /// CB Florida State

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NFL MOCK ///

DRAFT

by Andrew Garda

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/// NFL MOCK DRAFT

1 /// CLEVELAND BROWNS

SAM DARNOLD QB, USC While there is some discussion as to whether the Browns would trade out or take Saquon Barkley here, the reality is they’ve passed on Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, among others.

To trade out and risk missing their guy again would be a disaster and quarterback is a far more critical position than running back. Better to miss on Barkley than watch a quarterback be successful elsewhere again. They’re doing due diligence on each signal caller and recent reports have them deciding between Darnold and Wyoming’s Josh Allen. While sitting with Sam Darnold’s family doesn’t make him in a Browns jersey a lock, the measurables and ability to put a team on his back will.

2 /// NEW YORK GIANTS

BRADLEY CHUBB Edge, NC State

SAM DARNOLD QB, USC

The New York Giants are the pivot point of the first round. They’ve done an excellent job keeping the waters fouled so nobody truly knows what they will do. They need an heir to Eli Manning. There’s a lot of love for Saquon Barkley. Their offensive line is slightly better than a mess and needs help despite the Nate Solder addition. There’s a great chance they move out of here, particularly if Darnold is off the board (they reportedly love Darnold). If not, and given the recent departure of Jason Pierre-Paul, an edge rusher is a huge need and Chubb can bring it from any formation.

3 /// NEW YORK JETS (FROM INDIANAPOLIS COLTS)

BAKER MAYFIELD QB, Oklahoma The reality is that New York cannot leave the draft without its franchise quarterback. The fear here for any Jets fan—and it’s a real one—is GM Mike Maccagnan’s penchant for cannonarmed quarterbacks with questionable accuracy. So could Josh Allen be the pick? It’s not impossible but it’d be the wrong move. Josh Rosen and Baker Mayfield (our pick) are also on the board and both bring tremendous weapons to the table along with a moxie that New Yorkers would love. Mayfield may be short, but he can thread the offensive line and make every pass. The Jets were all over him at the Senior Bowl too, and were impressed by his private workout.

4 /// CLEVELAND BROWNS (VIA HOUSTON TEXANS)

SAQUON BARKLEY RB, Penn State

QUENTON NELSON G, Notre Dame

So after all that the Browns get their quarterback and Saquon Barkley. If Barkley falls past the Browns with that first pick, the Giants will find their phone lines jammed with calls from teams like Denver, so Barkley might not be here but a quarterback run could set this up as a valuable secondary pivot where a team like the Bills wants to move. If Barkley is here and the Browns want to pull the trigger, he will be an immediate factor in this offense and give them a dynamic playmaker in the backfield, which will help Tyrod Taylor this year and Darnold down the road.

5 /// DENVER BRONCOS

QUENTON NELSON G, Notre Dame The rumor mill says the Broncos want Barkley, Chubb or Mayfield, all of whom are not here.

It’s possible the Broncos could love Josh Rosen, and they were heavily represented by John Elway and company at Josh Allen’s recent pro day. That said, we don’t think Rosen fits the team’s personality. While Allen is strong-armed, he’s also risky. They could use help along the interior of the offensive line and Nelson is also arguably the best player available period.

It’s a great consolation prize.

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/// NFL MOCK DRAFT

6 /// INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (VIA NEW YORK JETS)

MINKAH FITZPATRICK DB, Alabama Not their highest need, but Fitzpatrick represents the best player available for the Colts.

Fitzpatrick has a nose for the ball, and blitzes well off the edge. He can also fill in as a slot cornerback, with his versatility giving this 4-3 defense a boost in a division with Deshaun Watson and Marcus Mariota.

7 /// TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

DERWIN JAMES S, Florida State The Buccaneers are retooling an underperforming defense and recently added Jason PierrePaul to help off the edge. That means having the flexibility to address other need areas with premiere talents. James is an athletic tone-setter whose best is still yet to come down the road as he continues to improve against the run. He can easily play the ‘robber’ role as well, a hybrid linebacker/safety position which is more and more common in the NFL. Whether in coverage, blitzing or attacking a ball carrier, James is a huge upgrade for this defense.

8 /// CHICAGO BEARS ROQUAN SMITH LB, Georgia

ROQUAN SMITH LB, Georgia Somehow the Chicago Bears are still rebuilding a defense. They do need another wide receiver even after signing Allen Robinson but in the NFC North, you have to be able to stop offenses if you are going to keep your second-year quarterback from having to press. Smith is a bit undersized, but has the athletic tools to make plays all over the field.

9 /// SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

TREMAINE EDMUNDS LB, Virginia Tech The 49ers struggled creating pressure last season, finishing 26th in the league in sacks. That has to change and Edmunds is the type of disruptive piece to provide some juice. He has a combination of size, speed and explosiveness which make him very dangerous. He can come hard off the edge as well as help contain runners out of the backfield. The Niners have other needs, like offensive line, but it’s too hard to pass up an easy upgrade to your pass rush, plus Edmunds has experience playing off the ball, can drop in coverage, and be a force in the run game.

10 /// OAKLAND RAIDERS

DENZEL WARD CB, Ohio State

JOSH ROSEN QB, UCLA

Jon Gruden is busy adding every aging veteran he can sign, so who knows what he will do in the draft? The Raiders are desperate for cornerback help though, and Ward is capable of playing on the boundary and in the slot. The former Ohio State star possesses a great feel for routes, which will be huge when he sees players like Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas and Keenan Allen in his division. The AFC West has some nice passing offenses, and Ward will be a big help for the Raiders on defense.

11 /// MIAMI DOLPHINS

JOSH ROSEN QB, UCLA It’s hard to imagine the Dolphins are going to keep riding with Ryan Tannehill, as underwhelming as he has been. Brock Osweiler clearly isn’t the answer. They have to pull the trigger on a quarterback, and of the two left, Rosen is more immediately ready to go. He might not be available—we can imagine as he, Allen or any quarterback slides, teams will try to trade up—but if he is, the Dolphins would get a guy who can step in pretty quickly and play well. His attitude issues are overplayed, and he would be a heck of a leader for a team in need of one.

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/// NFL MOCK DRAFT

12 /// BUFFALO BILLS (VIA CINCINNATI BENGALS)

JOSH ALLEN QB, Wyoming The Bills are going to try and move up, you can book that now. They tried to outmaneuver the New York Jets for No. 3, and they will likely try and move up to No. 2 if the Giants are open for business. If not then, figure somewhere in the top five or six is their target. Allen may not be the pick, or at least he may be the pick earlier. His strong arm, leadership abilities and work ethic are all very attractive and coaches always think they can fix accuracy. AJ McCarron is in Buffalo now, so Allen doesn’t need to be rushed into service. It’s not a bad landing spot if McCarron can buy the Bills time to develop Allen.

13 /// WASHINGTON REDSKINS

VITA VEA DL, Washington

JOSH ALLEN QB, Wyoming

Washington desperately needs a run-stopper inside and while Vea’s film can be a little inconsistent, he boasts tremendous size and power with the ability shed blockers to get at the ball carrier. Put him at nose or as a 3-technique, and he would be hard to get off the field in that 3-4 if they used him right. It’s hard to really know what Washington is doing this offseason, but they need to firm up the defense and find ways to slow down opposing runners.

Vea does that.

14 /// GREEN BAY PACKERS

JOSH JACKSON CB, Iowa Yes, the Packers drafted Kevin King last year with their first pick and Tramon Williams returns, but the position still screams for an upgrade. Green Bay needs some more consistent pressure off the edge, a replacement for Jordy Nelson and some offensive line depth, but Jackson is a ball hawk and across from King, could be deadly. His instincts and ball skills would be a nice addition to a defense that will see it’s fair share of good passing offenses in 2018. Jackson is still developing too. As he gains experience, there’s still plenty of room for growth.

15 /// ARIZONA CARDINALS

MIKE MCGLINCHEY OT, Notre Dame

JOSH JACKSON CB, Iowa

Expect the Cardinals to try desperately to move up because they know the only question to which, “Sam Bradford,” is the answer is, “Who just went on injured reserve again?” If they can’t swing a trade, the Cardinals could take a shot at Mason Rudolph or Lamar Jackson, but it’s as likely they continue to work on the offensive line. McGlinchey isn’t as dominating or explosive as his teammate Nelson, but would walk in as a solid right tackle, allowing the Cardinals to move John Wetzel, or perhaps even kick someone inside to help shore up the guard position.

16 /// BALTIMORE RAVENS

CALVIN RIDLEY WR, Alabama Michael Crabtree isn’t enough for the Baltimore Ravens even in his prime. Spoiler alert, he’s not in his prime. Ridley can stretch the field, runs sharp routes and does a great job going to get the ball. Joe Flacco may be on the downside of his career, but the Ravens are doing him no favors with the receivers at his disposal. Pairing Ridley with Crabtree, even as a descending player, would be a massive upgrade over what he has had the last few years.

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/// NFL MOCK DRAFT

17 /// LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

CONNOR WILLIAMS OT, Texas The Los Angeles Chargers are in need of offensive line help. What else is new? Williams has some flaws, underscored by a disappointing and injury-riddled 2017 season, but he has shown to be a tremendous tackle in the past and with the right coaching, should be that again. At his best, Williams can move with defenders effortlessly. He’s an excellent run blocker and has sharp technique in any situation. The Chargers never seem to get their offensive line right, but Williams would give them the chance to turn that narrative around.

18 /// SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

ISAIAH WYNN OG, Georgia

DA'RON PAYNE DT, Alabama

Like the Chargers, the Seahawks have struggled to fix an offensive line that is usually just this side of awful. And maybe not even. John Schneider has to get it fixed and throwing high draft picks at the problem would be a good way to start. Wynn can play tackle or guard for the Seahawks depending on where they believe he can hold up in the NFL. It makes sense to start him off at tackle and let him sink or swim. They could always move him inside to guard if he fails. His athleticism, hand strength and footwork allow him stay on top of defenders and would be a huge help for this unit.

19 /// DALLAS COWBOYS

DA’RON PAYNE DT, Alabama The Cowboys have a lot of talent, but there’s still some sanding of rough edges to be done.

One place to get out the power tools is the defensive front. Payne is an excellent run defender, but shows some really nice pass rush skills as well on film. The Cowboys could be looking to boost its pass catchers with Dez Bryant possibly on his way out and Jason Witten turning 56 this season (all numbers approximate). But defense should be a priority and Payne would be a good pick here.

20 /// DETROIT LIONS

DERRIUS GUICE RB, LSU The Lions have other needs, most notably along the defensive front, but they have been without a reliable running back almost since Barry Sanders left. Guice was banged up this year, which will concern some, but when he’s on the field he is impressive. He runs with violence and can create yards after contact. Guice is a guy you can lean on in the fourth quarter when he wears defenses down and the game needs to be put away.

DERRIUS GUICE RB, LSU

21 /// CINCINNATI BENGALS (VIA BUFFALO BILLS)

MARCUS DAVENPORT EDGE, Texas-San Antonio The offensive line talent here is OK, but Davenport brings speed to the edge, whether he’s standing up or has his hand in the dirt. Davenport plays aggressively, can be an impact tackler and is relentless. The small-school star would give the Bengals a great tool to take down guys like Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger and Sam Darnold/Tyrod Taylor. His best is still yet to come, so he would be a force outside for years to come.

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/// NFL MOCK DRAFT 22 /// BUFFALO BILLS (VIA KANSAS CITY CHIEFS)

BILLY PRICE C, Ohio State Eric Wood retiring was a bit of a gut punch and makes this a higher need than it would have been otherwise. With a pair of shiny new quarterbacks, the Bills have to prioritize protecting them. Price is a nasty customer on the field, and his aggressiveness combined with the strength and explosiveness makes for a potent combination. Price needs to be a bit more patient, but if he can manage that, the Bills will have a rock at the middle of their line for a long time to come so long as his pec injury heals properly.

23 /// NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

KOLTON MILLER OT, UCLA With Nate Solder in the wind, the Patriots need an upgrade on the offensive line. It’s not a sexy pick, but like most things with the Patriots, it’s the important one. Miller played at right tackle for a while at UCLA, but when they needed to secure Josh Rosen’s safety, they tapped Miller to move to the left so he could do so. Miller is very tall, with great length, and a nice initial hand punch. You could plug him in at right tackle pretty early on and switch him to left sooner than later.

24 /// CAROLINA PANTHERS

JAIRE ALEXANDER CB, Louisville KOLTON MILLER OT, UCLA

The Panthers could easily grab a wide receiver here and they desperately need one. But the Panthers need talent in the secondary after having to void their deal with Bashaud Breeland over a bizarre foot injury. Alexander is an athletic corner with great instincts and anticipation.

He had some knee issues last season, but gutted his way through them. If he’s 100%, Alexander would be a huge upgrade for the secondary. But they should absolutely consider a receiver like Courtland Sutton, D.J. Moore or Christian Kirk here as well.

25 /// TENNESSEE TITANS

HAROLD LANDRY EDGE, Boston College The Titans have been looking for a good edge rusher for a while, and while their success last season pushes them away from the top-shelf guys, Landry falling to them at 25 would be beautiful. His game is mostly speed off the edge, but that’s what the Titans need. The former Boston College star is coachable enough to believe his run defense will come along. With Mike Vrabel wanting to be multiple, Landry’s athleticism should allow him to line up as a stand-up rusher as well as with his hand in the dirt.

26 /// ATLANTA FALCONS

MAURICE HURST DT, Michigan

MAURICE HURST DT, Michigan

The Falcons could use some help at tackle with Dontari Poe gone, and Maurice Hurst would go a long way bolstering the defensive interior. Hurst plays with good leverage, getting under offensive linemen, penetrating quickly and disrupting plays in the backfield. He still needs to improve his ability to shed blocks and not lose sight of the ball, as well as add some muscle and strength to his frame. There was concern about Hurst being pulled from the combine due to a medical issue, but he was cleared and shouldn’t be downgraded because of it.

27 /// NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

COURTLAND SUTTON WR, SMU While Michael Thomas and Willie Snead are still around, the wide receiver corps could use improvement. Sutton is a big, reliable target who would also help salve the burn of losing out on a reunion with Jimmy Graham. Sutton would be a perfect red zone target for Drew Brees with his ability to adjust to the ball and make tough. Sutton can be what Marques Colston used to be for Brees and the Saints.

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/// NFL MOCK DRAFT

28 /// PITTSBURGH STEELERS

RASHAAN EVANS LB, Alabama The Steelers could really use some interior help at linebacker, and Evans is a nice fit in their 3-4 defense as an athletic guy with agility and explosiveness. At Alabama, he improved every year and adapted well to inside linebacker duties after starting his career outside. His ability to add juice to the pass rush as a blitzer offers a solid value-add for Pittsburgh. The Steelers have to worry about Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement, so it wouldn’t be insane if they snuck a quarterback here if there’s one they like available here.

29 /// JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

DALLAS GOEDERT TE, South Dakota State The Jaguars shed some receiving talent this offseason, so a wide receiver could catch their eye, but they’ve also been after a tight end for ages. Goedert is a great pass-catching tight end who, while he doesn’t run the sharpest routes, can use his body and athleticism to make some head-turning catches. If he can put more consistent effort into blocking, Goedert could be a special player. There’s a case to be made taking a quarterback here on a cheap deal, despite Blake Bortles’ extension, wouldn’t be a bad play.

RASHAAN EVANS LB, Alabama 30 /// MINNESOTA VIKINGS

TYRELL CROSBY OT, Oregon The Vikings biggest issue, according to them, was quarterback, and Kirk Cousins fixes that for a steep price. Now they need to protect him and while the offensive line was loads better in 2017 than it had been for a long time before, it still needs work. Crosby is a nasty run blocker, and the Vikings will want to open lanes for Dalvin Cook as well as protect Cousins.

He had some injury issues in school, but those aren’t a big concern.

31 /// LOS ANGELES RAMS

SAM HUBBARD EDGE, Ohio State With Robert Quinn gone, the Rams need some help on the edge even with Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald terrorizing teams up the middle. Hubbard doesn’t seem to have an off switch and will come hard on every down. He’s sharp, reading a play and reacting quickly, with the ability to get into the backfield with good speed or handwork. The Rams are poised to be a long-lasting force in the NFC West, and adding an edge rusher like Hubbard next to those monsters inside will help keep this defense on top.

SAM HUBBARD EDGE, Ohio State

32 /// PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

JAMES WASHINGTON WR, Oklahoma State While Alshon Jeffery will be Philadelphia for the long haul, the Eagles could use a deep threat.

Signing Mike Wallace was a short-term move. Washington can be the long-term move. As Super Bowl Champs (enjoy that one folks), the Eagles can take a bit of a luxury here with Washington’s speed and versatility. While only 5’11”, Washington plays much bigger than his size, and his speed after the catch would make him dangerous in this dynamic Philly offense.

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41

QB Position Analysis by:

///

Andrew Garda

Baker Mayfield

///

Oklahoma – rJr

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42

/// QUARTERBACK QB1........... BAKER

MAYFIELD Oklahoma.............................................................................. 44 QB2........... SAM DARNOLD USC............................................................................................... 45 QB3........... JOSH ROSEN UCLA.................................................................................................... 46 QB4........... LAMAR JACKSON Louisville.................................................................................47 QB5........... JOSH ALLEN Wyoming...............................................................................................47 QB6........... MASON RUDOLPH Oklahoma State................................................................... 48 QB7........... LUKE FALK Washington State.................................................................................... 48 QB8........... MIKE WHITE Western Kentucky.............................................................................. 49 QB9........... KYLE LAULETTA Richmond.................................................................................. 49 QB10........... RILEY FERGUSON Memphis................................................................................ 50 QB11........... KURT BENKERT Virginia........................................................................................ 50 QB12........... JT BARRETT Ohio State.............................................................................................. 51 QB13........... LOGAN WOODSIDE Toledo.................................................................................. 51 QB14........... CHASE LITTON Marshall......................................................................................... 51 QB15........... NIC SHIMONEK Texas Tech..................................................................................... 51 QB16........... TANNER LEE Nebraska............................................................................................... 51 QB17........... QUINTON FLOWERS South Florida.................................................................... 51 QB18........... JEREMIAH BRISCOE Sam Houston State............................................................ 51 QB19........... AUSTIN ALLEN Arkansas......................................................................................... 51 QB20........... NICK STEVENS Colorado State................................................................................ 51 /// ADDITIONAL PLAYERS (NOT FEATURED)

QB21........... MATT

LINE Idaho QB22........... DANNY ETLING LSU QB23........... KYLE ALLEN Houston QB24........... JOHN O’KORN Michigan QB25........... MAX BROWNE Pitt

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43

HIGHLIGHTS

BAKER MAYFIELD /// QB1 Oklahoma (rJr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’1” / Weight: 215 lbs. / Hands: 9 1/4” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.84 NFL COMBINE / 29” Vertical / 111” Broad / 4.28 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.00 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 285 of 404 Att (70.5 Comp%) / 4,627 Yds / 43 TD / 6 INT IN A NUT SHELL: Either you love Baker Mayfield or you don’t. A tough, competitive player who wears his emotions on his sleeve and is determined to be himself, Mayfield is widely viewed in the locker room as a guy players rally around as a leader off and on the field.

However, with his lack of height, spread offense experience and fiery demeanor, not every team is going be comfortable with him. While his height is a concern, Mayfield has shown the ability on tape to read the field like Russell Wilson and Drew Brees do by seeing between his linemen. He’s not either of those guys, but that ability should ease concerns Mayfield can read the defense very quickly and react appropriately, has a better arm than he gets credit for and delivers the ball with heat on it. Add in his ability to either extend or create big plays on the run and the upside for Mayfield is huge.

BEST GAME: ROSE BOWL (2018) Mayfield had some chances to win the 2018 Rose Bowl in overtime but couldn’t get the offense into the end zone and Oklahoma lost to Georgia, 54-48. Despite falling short, Mayfield had an outstanding game, especially in the first half

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when he carved up a normally stout Bulldog defense. While the offense couldn’t score to steal the win, Mayfield wasn’t the cause, as Jordan Smallwood was taken down short of the first. Overall, Mayfield had a very good day, and even his interception at the start of the fourth quarter wasn’t a terrible throw and doesn’t take away from his virtuoso performance that included catching a touchdown pass on a play very similar to the famous Philly Special.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: While his ability to scramble and throw on the run as well as create plays out of nothing will remind some of a guy like Aaron Rodgers, there are too many things Rodgers does which Mayfield doesn’t right now. The Packers might have to tweak their scheme too much, especially along the offensive line, for Mayfield to be a good option. His personality might be too much for the organization as well. That said, Aaron Rodgers isn’t going anywhere and if Mayfield developed quickly, they could trade him for picks.

44

HIGHLIGHTS

SAM DARNOLD /// QB2 USC (rSo) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’3” / Weight: 220 lbs. / Hands: 9 3/8” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.85 NFL COMBINE / 26.5” Vertical / 105” Broad / 4.40 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.96 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 303 of 480 Att (63.1 Comp%) / 4,143 Yds / 26 TD / 13 INT IN A NUT SHELL: Darnold has all the measurables teams look for in a quarterback.

He has size, arm strength, pocket awareness and good mobility.

He clearly trusts his arm to get the ball where it should go, and while his windup is way too long, the ball comes out fast which helps mitigate the delivery issues. The thing that may give scouts and teams pause is the high rate of turnovers this year.

He threw interceptions in all but four games this season, and saw his total rise to 13, while his touchdowns fell from 31 to 26. Watching his games, it seems as though his field vision regressed and he made too many bad decisions. He also took too many bad sacks, with his totals rocketing from just 6 to an eye-popping 29. If there’s one good thing to come out of his messy 2017, it’s that you can see how mentally tough he was, and more than once he was still the reason USC won a game.

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BEST GAME: TEXAS (2017) During the Trojans 27-24 double-overtime win against Texas last year, Darnold looked like both a top pick and a raw prospect.

On the minus side, Darnold threw a pick-six near the end of the first half, though it was a ball his receiver should have caught.

But then he came right back and with five seconds left in the half, threw a nice pass to a wide-open Ronald Jones II for a touchdown. Darnold would total three touchdowns on the day, but also a second interception. He was inaccurate at times, but also led a critical drive down the field to set up tie the gametying field goal.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: With Darnold, it could be the Packers are a better fit for him than the reverse. Yes, he has all the raw tools that would fit well in the Packers offense, and he certainly has a knack for big plays. He’d benefit from sitting on the bench learning the offense behind Aaron Rodgers and polishing up his skills. If you get Darnold and either fix his turnover/sack issues or they turn out to have been an aberration, you’d have a tremendous backup in place if there is an injury to Aaron Rodgers. The Eagles can tell you how critical that is.

45

HIGHLIGHTS

JOSH ROSEN /// QB3 UCLA (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 5’11” / Weight: 213 lbs. / Hands: 9 7/8” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.92 NFL COMBINE / 31” Vertical / 111” Broad / 4.28 20-Yard Shuttle, 7.09 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 283 of 452 Att (62.6 Comp%) / 3,756 Yds / 26 TD / 10 INT IN A NUT SHELL: Rosen has exceptional footwork and is cool under pressure, completing a multitude of passes when being blitzed this season.

He has a great play fake, will stand in the pocket and trust his line as he delivers a throw, taking a hit if need be to complete the pass. Rosen can throw his receivers open and doesn’t often overthrow them, usually putting the ball exactly where it needs to be and where only his receivers can get it. He endured too many drops from his receivers but put he did them in a position to succeed. Durability is a concern, as he’s had shoulder surgery in the past and a pair of concussions this year. Rosen isn’t thickly built, and his slender frame also could cause teams concerns. If he can stay on the field, though, Rosen is an exceptional quarterback who has a great deal of upside.

OFF THE FIELD: One concern which has floated around the media is Rosen’s outspoken manner. The former UCLA quarterback has no hesitations pontificating on difficult subjects like the paid NCAA athletes and Donald Trump. Rosen, for his part, says he won’t

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change. Some scouts and media sources have also questioned his leadership ability, occasionally going so far as to say his teammates didn’t care much for him. His desire to play football has also been called into question, due to his activist-style speeches and well-off family. Like Baker Mayfield, Rosen is a lightning rod for hot take opinions, but in the right situation could excite a fanbase as well.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: From a physical standpoint, Rosen would be a fine fit for the Packers offense. He lives off timing patterns and throws an excellent ball. However, Green Bay does seem like a bad fit given his off-the-field nature. Forget his politics, his overall personality and outspokenness seems like a bad fit for a leadership position with the Packers, as it does with Baker Mayfield. Perhaps it would work out, but one imagines him being a distraction in a locker-room which isn’t usually filled with them. That said, this is another guy who would be a great backup, with upside, in case Aaron Rodgers was hurt.

46

/// QUARTERBACK

LAMAR JACKSON /// QB4 Louisville (Jr)

Height: 6’03” / Weight: 200 lbs. / Hands: 9 1/2” / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

JOSH ALLEN /// QB5

Wyoming (rJr) Height: 6’05” / Weight: 233 lbs. / Hands: 10 1/8” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.75

NFL COMBINE / n/a

NFL COMBINE / 33.5” Vertical / 119” Broad / 4.40 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.90 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 254 of 430 Att (59.1 Comp%) / 3,660 Yds / 27 TD / 10 INT

2017 STATS / 152 of 270 Att (56.3 Comp%) / 1,812 Yds / 16 TD / 6 INT

IN A NUT SHELL: The world has been split about this, but the reality is that Jackson is a quarterback, not a receiver. Yes, he has an explosive set of legs which can ignite a big play at any time, but regardless of what some think, he can absolutely throw the ball. He needs to work on his accuracy and mechanics, but he has experience in a pro-style offense and is capable of creating big plays with his arm as well as his legs. In the right offense, with a team willing to build around his skills, Jackson has a chance to be an exceptional starting quarterback. There’s a lot of Deshaun Watson in him.

IN A NUT SHELL: Allen has, without a doubt, the biggest arm in the draft, but also the most inaccurate one. He never had a completion percentage above 56.3 in his two years as a starter and if he has to move, it drops even lower. While he was lauded for his work at the combine throwing the ball, one is reminded of Han Solo saying “good against the living is something else.” While Allen gets some slack due to drops by his receivers, Rosen, Jackson and Mayfield had more receiver drops but get less credit and many of Allen’s throws are visibly off target.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: While the basics of the Packers offense don’t quite fit Jackson’s abilities, it wouldn’t take much to adapt them to his strengths.

Green Bay seems like the sort of system and facility where he would be able to learn to avoid mistakes and yet could also succeed because he is a dynamic playmaker. Short-term, Jackson might not be able to step right in if something happened to Aaron Rodgers, which would force Green Bay to keep a third quarterback, or risk Jackson going to the practice squad. Longterm, Jackson has the potential to be a starter, but there’s plenty of risk.

Allen’s big arm and experience in cold weather are pluses but he doesn’t have close to the touch or accuracy to succeed in Green Bay’s offense. Can he improve in either area? It’s not impossible, but it’s an awful lot of work and his bust could be bigger than his boom. Unlike the previous quarterbacks listed, he lacks the athleticism to really be dangerous extending the play on the run, and along with the accuracy issues, that limits his usefulness even as an emergency quarterback.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

47

/// QUARTERBACK

MASON RUDOLPH /// QB6

LUKE FALK /// QB7

Height: 6’05” / Weight: 235 lbs. / Hands: 9 1/8” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.90

Height: 6’04” / Weight: 215 lbs. / Hands: 9 1/4” / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

Oklahoma St. (Sr)

Washington St. (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 26” Vertical

NFL COMBINE / 26.5” Vertical / 103” Broad

2017 STATS / 318 of 489 Att (65 Comp%) / 4,904 Yds / 37 TD / 9 INT

2017 STATS / 357 of 534 Att (66.9 Comp%) / 3,593 Yds / 30 TD / 13 INT

IN A NUT SHELL: Rudolph was ridiculously productive the last two years, but was never asked to do much in the way of reads. The experienced signal caller can hang in the pocket and deliver a big ball downfield, but struggles on outside routes and with ball placement at times. Rudolph has an average arm at best, but shows solid timing which helps him overcome that. He isn’t afraid to run and get a first down or touchdown, or finish a run hard. Rudolph scans the field well and generally makes good decisions, though he isn’t reliable if he has to scramble to buy time.

IN A NUT SHELL: Falk had a solid combine despite missing a few throws, as his fundamentals and delivery looked good. The tape is the concern, though. Despite his quick release, Falk takes too long to get the ball out. Falk is good with his progressions and can throw all over the field, but he holds the ball too long and that contributed to too many sacks. As often as he has been sacked, it might be understandable that Falk appears gun-shy when it comes to trusting his offensive line. This leads to forced and hurried throws when he’s not frozen and overthinking.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: A real project, what Rudolph does can fit into the Packers offense, but his issues with ball placement and inability to roll out effectively would make it a struggle. Rudolph is considered a hard worker though, and his mentality would give him a shot to improve under the Packers’ program.

Rudolph is another quarterback who would likely make the Packers keep three quarterbacks ( or four if they keep Hundley) on the roster. Much like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, you’d be hard pressed to get him on the practice squad without him being signed elsewhere.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: There’s potential here for a decent fit in the Packers offense, but Falk appears too skittish at this point. While it’s not impossible to think he can correct that, there are far more examples of guys who failed at that than not—Christian Hackenberg being the latest—and the potential upside just doesn’t seem all that worth it. The Packers offensive line has been up and down over the years, but has been largely reliable.

Still, getting Falk to be comfortable in it could be a challenge considering his time at Washington State.

48

/// QUARTERBACK

MIKE WHITE /// QB8

Western Kentucky (rSr) Height: 6’04” / Weight: 225 lbs. / Hands: 9 1/2” / 40-Yard Dash: 5.09

KYLE LAULETTA /// QB9

Richmond (rSr) Height: 6’03” / Weight: 215 lbs. / Hands: 9 3/4” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.81

NFL COMBINE / 27” Vertical / 96” Broad / 4.40 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.40 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 31” Vertical / 113” Broad / 4.07 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.95 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 368 of 560 Att (65.7 Comp%) / 4,117 Yds / 26 TD / 8 INT

2017 STATS / 281 of 433 Att (64.9 Comp%) / 3,737 Yds / 28 TD / 12 INT

IN A NUT SHELL: White took hits behind a sometimes shaky offensive line but his 44 sacks belong to him as much as his protectors.

He couldn’t adjust to his poor protection, and seemed to be unable to feel pressure from outside pass rushers. He is slow to adjust his reads as well, and seems to freeze when his first option is blanketed. White has exceptional arm strength and can fire off a laser, putting the ball accurately through tight windows. The problem is he needs perfect conditions at this point to do it. Once a player is shell-shocked, it can be hard to change that.

IN A NUT SHELL: On the plus side, Lauletta is a vocal and consistent leader in a locker room, who has sharp mechanics and solid accuracy. His arm strength, however, is sub-par and his longer balls require a high arc to get there, which lets defenders set up underneath them. That’s the source of many of his interceptions. The NFL is faster than what he saw with Richmond so there is concern about how he’ll fare against better talent. Lauletta has some patience and will wait for his receivers to get where they need to go, avoiding mistakes by not forcing a pass early.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: White’s arm talent is something that the Packers would be excited about, but his issues under pressure make him a bad fit as anything but a flier developmental quarterback for Green Bay, someone they can bring in as a third quarterback and see if any progress can be made. That said, the price would have to be right selecting him earlier than late Day 2, and maybe even Day 3, would be inadvisable. There’s likely to be more talent available at other positions if you choose to take him before that.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: From a personality standpoint, he seems like a great fit, but the concern is whether you can take a guy who lacks armstrength and whose ball takes too long to get where it’s going and fix him in those areas. It’s hard to imagine Lauletta improving enough to be attractive, but as a mid-Day 3 selection, he would be worth bringing in and seeing what he can do in camp. He’d be easy to sneak onto the practice squad as well, as he’s not likely to be coveted enough by anyone to see him snagged.

49

/// QUARTERBACK

RILEY FERGUSON /// QB10

Memphis (rSr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 210 lbs. / Hands: 9 5/8” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.98

KURT BENKERT /// QB11

Virginia (rSr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 215 lbs. / Hands: 9 1/2” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.95

NFL COMBINE / 29” Vertical / 110” Broad / 4.40 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.96 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 31” Vertical / 112” Broad / 4.33 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.15 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 299 of 474 Att (63.1 Comp%) / 4,257 Yds / 38 TD / 9 INT

2017 STATS / 298 of 509 Att (58.5 Comp%) / 3,207 Yds / 25 TD / 9 INT

IN A NUT SHELL: Ferguson played in two different systems in two years, and did very well to manage the changes. He has a nice play action move, and can throw on the run. Ferguson also does a nice job reading the field and has very clearly shown he can handle learning different styles. He’s a bit thin, tends to rush throws when patience and timing is needed, and makes some bad decisions. Ferguson can move out of the pocket, but he won’t get far as he’s not athletic or fast enough to really create much on the edge. His ball placement is wildly inconsistent, as one second he throws a nice back-shoulder pass, then the next he throws exactly where it shouldn’t go.

IN A NUT SHELL: Benkert has the NFL-desired size and a nice arm, which allows him to throw to any level of the field with velocity. That said, the film shows some hesitancy when throwing down the middle.

He struggles with accuracy anywhere from the intermediate passes and beyond, and at times even has issues on short passes. Benkert’s confidence also gets him into trouble as you watch him force the ball into the midst of defenders, an issue of both overconfidence and decision making. His apparent cavalier attitude with the ball can be a concern and is something he needs to improve.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: The appealing part of fitting Riley Ferguson into Green Bay’s offense is his adaptability. There’s a good chance that you aren’t going to confuse him if you throw multiple concepts at him as he has already shown he can weather offensive changes just fine. That said, every other limitation is the sort of thing which will cool the Packers’ interest. The ball placement issue is potentially correctable, but his upside is so limited that there are better uses for the roster spot. The payoff isn’t all that attractive as more than a late-round flier.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: While some of the raw ability, like his arm strength, is attractive, his accuracy is a genuine concern. And we’ve seen that flaw in some of the Packers backup quarterbacks over the past few years without much improvement. He’s pure boom or bust on a throw-by-throw basis, which would be frustrating for the staff as well as receivers. Can they fix him? Perhaps, but here’s another guy whose ceiling doesn’t outweigh his floor. Bring him in to kick the tires as a very late pick or priority free agent.

50

/// QUARTERBACK LOGAN WOODSIDE /// QB13 Toledo (rSr)

Woodside is accurate, at all points on the field, and can put the ball where his receiver can get it while protecting it from the defender and will throw a target open. His delivery is wonky, and he has a very average arm overall. Woodside’s ability with ball placement will be attractive to a team running a timing offense.

CHASE LITTON /// QB14 Marshall (Jr)

Litton might have benefitted from another year in college. His size and arm talent is offset by some bad decisions and a tendency to lock into his first read. He isn’t particularly mobile, and some of his interceptions are bafflingly horrible to watch.

NIC SHIMONEK /// QB15 Texas Tech (Sr)

While Shimonek has the size and arm strength the NFL covets, he was benched this season after struggling in a series of games. He especially seems to struggle in the fourth quarter, and was benched against rival Texas. He has the tendency to stare his receivers down and seems to miss defenders lurking behind his targets.

JT BARRETT /// QB12

Ohio State (rSr) Height: 6’1” / Weight: 220 lbs. / Hands: 9 7/8” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.70

NFL COMBINE / 30” Vertical / 108” Broad / 4.44 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.38 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 240 of 371 Att (64.7 Comp%) / 3,053 Yds / 35 TD / 9 INT IN A NUT SHELL: You don’t get 35 touchdowns without making some sharp decisions in the red zone, and Barrett did have a nose for the end zone this year, both through the air and with his legs. He’s improved over time, especially in the area of escaping the pocket and gaining yards on the run. As a passer, Barrett is a bit slow, and struggles with accuracy, making his receivers bail him out too often. While he is solid on shorter throws, his long-ball accuracy isn’t good at all, and occasionally he hurries his passes, delivering them before his receivers are through their routes. Barrett’s arm strength isn’t great and that is exacerbated by problematic throwing mechanics.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: His struggles with deep-ball accuracy and the tendency to pull the trigger too early in a route make him an ill-suited fit for the Packers offense, which has more timing than he can handle.

Barrett’s ability in the red zone is good, and if the staff could get him to improve the rest of his game, he could be a solid addition, but there is an awful lot of work to do. The improvement over the course of his college career gives you hope, but only at the price of a late-round or free agent contract.

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TANNER LEE /// QB16 Nebraska (rJr)

Whether at Tulane or Nebraska, Lee had a ton of issues with turnovers and missed on too many passes to wide open receivers. He has NFL size and experience under center but he struggles a great deal reading the field and occasionally completely freezes when under pressure.

QUINTON FLOWERS /// QB17 South Florida (Sr)

Flowers is a Mack truck who is a brutal runner and punishes defenders when on the move. The problem is how little he brings to the table as a passer, with inconsistent accuracy stemming from poor mechanics. He also shows a tendency to aim the ball rather than throw it.

JEREMIAH BRISCOE /// QB 18 Sam Houston St. (rSr)

The ball takes a long time to get out for Briscoe and his release is a bit of a mess. He’s got tons of confidence, which served him well against mediocre competition, but could get him into a lot of trouble against NFL corners and defenders.

AUSTIN ALLEN /// QB19 Arkasas (rSr)

Allen’s 2017 tape showed a massive regression from his 2016 season, but it looks like two years of a lot of hits and sacks have begun to wear him down. Plus, he missed four games this year due to a shoulder injury. He’s thrown too many red zone picks, and just doesn’t seem to see lurking defenders.

NICK STEVENS /// QB20 Colorado State (Sr)

Stevens has some solid timing on his throws and has shown good ball placement, but his size and frame are question marks.

He doesn’t have NFL caliber arm strength either and will get nervous in a collapsing pocket. Overall his accuracy has been shaky and the longer the throw, the worse it gets.

51

RB Position Analysis by:

///

Dan Dahlke

Saquon Barkley

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///

Penn State – Jr

52

/// RUNNING BACK RB1........... SAQUON

BARKLEY Penn State........................................................................... 54 RB2........... DERRIUS GUICE LSU............................................................................................... 55 RB3........... RONALD JONES II USC.......................................................................................... 56 RB4........... NICK CHUBB Georgia................................................................................................. 57 RB5........... SONY MICHEL Georgia............................................................................................. 57 RB6........... KERRYON JOHNSON Auburn............................................................................ 58 RB7........... ROYCE FREEMAN Oregon.................................................................................... 58 RB8........... RASHAAD PENNY San Diego State..................................................................... 59 RB9........... NYHEIM HINES NC State......................................................................................... 59 RB10........... MARK WALTON Miami.......................................................................................... 60 RB11........... KALEN BALLAGE Arizona State........................................................................... 60 RB12........... BO SCARBROUGH Alabama.................................................................................. 61 RB13........... CHASE EDMONDS Fordham................................................................................. 61 RB14........... JOSH ADAMS Notre Dame........................................................................................ 61 RB15........... JOHN KELLY Tennessee.............................................................................................. 61 RB16........... AKRUM WADLEY Iowa.......................................................................................... 61 RB17........... JUSTIN JACKSON Northwestern........................................................................... 61 RB18........... DARRELL WILLIAMS LSU................................................................................... 61 RB19........... ITO SMITH Southern Mississippi................................................................................. 61 RB20........... ROC THOMPSON Jacksonville State...................................................................... 61 /// ADDITIONAL PLAYERS (NOT FEATURED)

RB21........... JARVION

FRANKLIN Western Michigan RB22........... RYAN NALL Oregon State RB23........... LAVON COLEMAN Washington RB24........... DEMARIO RICHARD Arizona State RB25........... JUSTIN CRAWFORD West Virginia

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53

HIGHLIGHTS

SAQUON BARKLEY /// RB1 Penn State (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’0” / Weight: 233 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.40 NFL COMBINE / 29 Bench Reps / 41" Vertical / 4.24 20-Yard Shuttle 2017 STATS / 217 Att / 1,271 Yds (5.86 Ypc) / 18 TD /// 54 Rec / 632 Yds / 3 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Not only is Barkley this year’s best running back, but he is also the top athlete regardless of position in the 2018 draft class. At 233 pounds, the former Penn State halfback is a ridiculous athlete, and his performance at the NFL combine verified that.

Not only did he run an impressive 4.40 forty-yard time, but he also had the top vertical (41”) among the running backs and tied with Nick Chubb for the most reps (29) on the bench press at the position as well. Combine this with his impressive tape and eye-popping production, and Barkley is one of the top running back prospects to come out of college over the past several years. In the past two years, he’s nearly totaled 2,000 all-purpose yards, while also scoring 36 touchdowns. As a runner, Barkley has smooth footwork, good backfield vision, and breakaway speed. He’s also a very strong runner with good balance and lower body strength, but he is not as physical as he could be for a back his size. He can do it all at the position and is truly a special prospect. He should be a lock for the top 10 in the draft.

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BEST GAME: IOWA (2017) As the Nittany Lions just barely squeaked out a 21-19 win against Big Ten rival Iowa in Week 4 of the 2017 season, Barkley took his team on his back and put together a dominant performance. By the end of the night, he had 211 rushing yards on 28 carries, a touchdown, and 12 receptions for 94 yards.

This all came against an Iowa defense that was one of the best in the Big Ten prior to this game. It’s Barkley’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways that showed everyone how truly special he is as a player.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: If Green Bay was fortunate enough to land Barkley in the draft, they would gain a true game changer that could bring a completely new dynamic to their offense. His ability to make plays in both the running and passing game would give them a true three-down running back that they wouldn’t have to take off the field. He could be their bell cow back, but also someone they schemed around in the passing game. They could create opportunities for him to get the ball out in space and utilize his athleticism to create mismatches against the defense.

54

HIGHLIGHTS

DERRIUS GUICE /// RB2 LSU (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 5’10” / Weight: 224 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.49 NFL COMBINE / 15 Bench Reps / 31.5” Vertical 2017 STATS / 237 Att / 1,251 Rush Yds (5.28 Ypc) / 11 TD /// 18 Rec / 124 Yds / 2 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Guice is a short, compact back with impressive burst and bigplay ability. He runs behind his pads well, keeping a low center of gravity as he works through traffic. He also has a strong lower body, which enables him to keep his legs driving through contact. The former LSU standout’s aggressive running style allows him to punish defenders in his path. He consistently gains the tough yards and is relentless in his effort to fight for extra real estate. While splitting carries with Leonard Fournette in 2016, Guice rushed for 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns. He then followed these numbers with more impressive production as a junior in 2017, recording 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Despite being an explosive and physical runner, Guice also possesses quickness and elusiveness in the open field. He shows good balance by staying on his feet through arm tackles and frequently breaks loose to turn the play into a big gain downfield. He should be a lock for the first round and make an immediate impact in the NFL.

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BEST GAME: TEXAS A&M (2016) While LSU’s offense managed to run up the score in their 54-39 win over Texas A&M in 2016, the most notable stat line of the night was Guice’s 285 rushing yards. The sophomore halfback nearly reached 300 yards rushing on his 37 carries, putting in a dominant performance. While averaging 7.70 yards per carry, he also scored four touchdowns. While the opposing sideline boasted future first-overall pick, Myles Garrett, Guice stole the show that day and proved to everyone just how much he can really impact a game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: To get a talent like Guice the Packers would likely have to spend their first-round pick on him. The former Tigers halfback would give Green Bay’s offense a spark in the backfield. While Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are solid options at the position, they aren’t nearly as dynamic of runners as Guice.

The 5-foot-10, 224-pound back can take over a game and force defenses to spend all of their focus on stopping him. This would be a huge asset to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense. Guice is also solid in pass protection and could stay on the field on third downs.

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HIGHLIGHTS

RONALD JONES II /// RB3 USC (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 5’11” / Weight: 205 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.65* (Injured) NFL COMBINE / 36.5” Vertical 2017 STATS / 261 Att / 1,550 Rush Yds (5.94 Ypc) / 19 TD /// 14 Rec / 187 Yds / 1 TD IN A NUT SHELL: The first thing that jumps out about Jones’ game is his blazing speed. Very few defenders can catch him once he gets downfield on a big run. However, it’s too bad he injured his hamstring running the 40-yard dash at the combine because it would have been nice to see his official timed speed. His ability to quickly accelerate and burst through a hole also stands out. Jones is built in the mold of Jamaal Charles and should be utilized in a similar fashion in the NFL. He’s a dynamic runner who really excels with the ball in his hands out in space. However, he’s also a pretty physical runner for a back his size. He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and try to run over a defender or push for extra yards after contact. In 2017, he was one of the most productive backs in college football, rushing for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns, while averaging nearly six yards per carry.

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BEST GAME: STANFORD / PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP (2017) In a narrow 31-28 USC win over Stanford in the PAC-12 Championship, Jones was the best player on the field. He led the Trojans to victory with 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 30 carries. He became the focal point of USC’s offense and played a key role in defeating a tough Stanford defense that is full of future NFL talent. Jones ran hard all game, fighting through contact and picking up some key first downs late in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for the Trojans.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Jones would fit very well in Mike McCarthy’s offense. As a former USC halfback, Jones has experience running out of shotgun and spread, while also being able to run from a pro formation. He would bring speed and elusiveness to the Packers offense, while also giving them a true three-down running back to feature on Sundays. He’d be another playmaker opposing defenses would have to account for, which would alleviate some attention from Aaron Rodgers and the passing game.

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/// RUNNING BACK

NICK CHUBB /// RB4

SONY MICHEL /// RB5

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 227 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.52

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 214 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.54

Georgia (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 29 Bench Reps / 38.5” Vertical / 128” Broad / 4.25 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.09 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 223 Att / 1,345 Yds (6.03 Ypc) / 15 TD /// 4 Rec / 30 Yds IN A NUT SHELL: Chubb is as complete a back as you’ll find coming out of college.

He has excellent backfield vision, quick footwork, excellent lower body strength, good balance, and tremendous burst. He also keeps his pads low, which enables him to effectively run through contact and quickly change direction. Unfortunately, his sophomore season he tore the MCL, PCL, and LCL ligaments in his left knee. After multiple surgeries he returned to have two very productive seasons as a junior and senior. However, durability still has to be a concern for NFL teams. Add in the fact he’s carried the ball 447 times in the past two years and teams will wonder how much longer his body can hold up before showing too much wear and tear.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Green Bay would definitely find a role in their offense for a back as talented as Chubb. He would provide a consistent presence in the Packers backfield and be a player they could rely on gaining the tough yards each and every week. However, after catching 18 passes as a freshman, Chubb only recorded 13 receptions the rest of his collegiate career. His lack of impact in the passing game has to be a bit of a concern. It’s something the Packers would certainly expect more of if they ended up spending an early-round draft pick on him.

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Georgia (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 22 Bench Reps / 4.21 20-Yard Shuttle 2017 STATS / 156 Att / 1,227 Yds (7.87 Ypc) / 16 TD /// 9 Rec / 96 Yds / 1 TD IN A NUT SHELL:

Michel is a very explosive one-cut runner who can break a big play once he turns North and South. He possesses impressive burst, which enables him to quickly accelerate once he finds an opening in a defense, plants his foot, and cuts upfield. He averaged just under eight yards per carry in his last season at Georgia, while also scoring 17 touchdowns. His 2018 Rose Bowl performance against Oklahoma was nothing short of impressive: he ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns on only 11 carries. Michel is also elusive in the open field and will make defenders miss with a juke move or jump cut. However, he’s not an overly powerful runner despite possessing decent size for the position. At times he can run a little high and not get behind his pads, which prevents him from pushing through contact. Despite needing to polish this aspect of his game up, the former Georgia standout is still a very electric runner who could be a true game-changer for a NFL team.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Despite splitting carries with Nick Chubb for the majority of his collegiate career, Michel made the most of his opportunities. The Packers could use a playmaker like this in their backfield. Even though Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams show a lot of promise, Michel would give them a player with playmaking potential. Green Bay could use more big plays from their running back group, and Michel’s explosiveness would bring a new dynamic to their offense.

He’s also a tenacious pass blocker and catches the ball well out of the backfield. His versatility would be put to good use in Mike McCarthy’s offense.

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/// RUNNING BACK

KERRYON JOHNSON /// RB6

ROYCE FREEMAN /// RB7

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 213 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: DNP

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 229 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.54

Auburn (rJr)

Oregon (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 11 Bench Reps / 40” Vertical / 126” Broad / 4.29 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.07 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 17 Bench Reps / 34” Vertical / 118” Broad / 4.16 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.9 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 285 Att / 1,391 Yds (4.88 Ypc) / 18 TD /// 24 Rec / 194 Yds / 2 TD

2017 STATS / 244 Att / 1,475 Yds (6.05 Ypc) / 16 TD /// 14 Rec / 164 Yds

IN A NUT SHELL: Johnson is an explosive runner with big-play potential every time he touches the ball. He’s a dynamic athlete with a strong lower body, which enables him to run through arm tackles and fight for extra yards after contact. He does a great job running behind his pads as he explodes through the line as he hits the hole. He also possesses the quickness to bounce runs to the outside and turn a potential run for a loss into a big gain. His stiff arm is very effective, which enables him to fend off defenders in the open field. His physical downhill running style combined with his ability to quickly accelerate make him a promising prospect for any team.

IN A NUT SHELL: Freeman is a big back who is surprisingly light on his feet. He’s a smooth runner with good backfield vision and change-ofdirection ability in the open field. He was highly productive in his time at Oregon. Freeman’s 6.05 yards per carry were among the leaders in the Pac-12 last season. He can carry the rock 20 times a game as a team’s primary back, and he can be a very effective third down back. He’s excellent in the passing game, both as a receiver and a blocker in blitz pickup. While his game lacks power—he’s also not the most physical runner— Freeman’s versatility and balance in the run game more than make up for it.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: The Packers could always use another physical runner in their backfield. Johnson is a tone-setter and would add an element of toughness to Green Bay’s offense. However, his home run ability as a halfback would also give them another playmaker on that side of the ball. The fact some of his best games also came against some of the best defenses in college football, like Alabama and Georgia, is a promising sign that his game will translate to the next level very well. He would certainly challenge Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, and Ty Montgomery for playing time.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Having played at Oregon, Freeman has plenty of experience in a spread offense. A majority of his carries in college came out of shotgun or pistol formation. While some will view this as a negative, this could be beneficial for a team like the Packers who like to play a lot of hurry-up offense with multiplereceiver sets. Freeman is at his best when running out in space. He also possesses very natural hands and could in the very least contribute immediately to Green Bay’s offense as a third-down back.

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/// RUNNING BACK

RASHAAD PENNY /// RB8

NYHEIM HINES /// RB9

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 220 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.46

Height: 5’8” / Weight: 198 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.38

San Diego State (Sr)

NC State (Jr)

NFL COMBINE / 13 Bench Reps / 32.5” Vertical / 120” Broad

NFL COMBINE / 35.5” Vertical / 119” Broad / 4.35 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.18 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 289 Att / 2,248 Yds (7.78 Ypc) / 23 TD /// 19 Rec / 132 Yds / 2 TD

2017 STATS / 197 Att / 1,112 Yds (5.64 Ypc) / 12 TD /// 26 Rec / 152 Yds

IN A NUT SHELL: Penny is a good combination of size and speed for a NFL back.

He also possesses good backfield vision, showing an ability to press the line and then quickly cut through the hole when there’s an opening. His footwork is smooth which enables him to change direction quickly and even make defenders miss in the open field. However, Penny runs too upright, which hurts his explosiveness. He would pack a stronger punch if he lowered his pad level and ran behind his 220-pound frame. He also doesn’t break many tackles, but he does show good effort to fall forward at contact. He’s equally as good in the passing game as in the running game, and he’s also a very effective kick returner.

IN A NUT SHELL: Hines may not be the biggest back in the draft class, but what he lacks in size he more than makes up for with blazing speed and impressive quickness. The former NC State halfback recorded the fastest 40 time among running backs at the NFL combine, and this speed shows up on film. Hines can quickly break through a line or bounce a run to the outside and pull away from defenders. He also shows impressive wiggle in the open field, showcasing a nice juke or spin move to make defenders miss. He was also a very dynamic kick returner for the Wolfpack.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Penny has starting quality traits in the NFL. He’s a very balanced running back prospect, but there isn’t any one aspect of his game that is particularly exceptional. Considering this, if the Packers selected him he would provide depth and competition in the backfield, but there isn’t any reason to think he’d take a significant number of carries away from Aaron Jones or Jamaal Williams. He would, however, fill a major void on the Packers roster by giving them a dynamic kick returner.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hines would certainly bring a lot of speed to the Packers offense. However, he may not have enough of a complete game to unseat the three backs already established on the roster for significant playing time. His best role as a rookie may be just as a kick returner—at least until he can find an opportunity to get more carries in the backfield. Hines could help resurrect a Packers return game that has been very inconsistent over the past several years. They have lacked a true home run threat at the position and Hines could provide that.

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/// RUNNING BACK

MARK WALTON /// RB10

KALEN BALLAGE /// RB11

Height: 5’10” / Weight: 202 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.60

Height: 6’1” / Weight: 228 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.46

Miami (Jr)

Arizona State (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / 31.5” Vertical / 118” Broad

NFL COMBINE / 15 Bench Reps / 33.5” Vertical / 122” Broad / 4.35 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.91 Three-Cone

2017 STATS (4 GAMES) / 56 Att / 428 Yds (7.64 Ypc) / 3 TD /// 7 Rec / 91 Yds

2017 STATS / 157 Att / 699 Yds (4.26 Ypc) / 6 TD /// 20 Rec / 91 Yds

IN A NUT SHELL: Walton was one of the better running backs in college football until an injury derailed his 2017 season. He’s an explosive compact runner that gets North/South quickly and shows a great feel for when to plant his foot and turn upfield. He’s particularly effective out in the flat catching a screen or running a swing route. However, Walton’s size does prevent him from running through a lot of contact. He’s not a pile pusher by any means and he won’t break that many tackles once defenders get ahold of him. His pass protection is also very poor and he drops too many passes as a checkdown receiver. It’s these deficiencies in his game that make it difficult to project his role at the next level.

IN A NUT SHELL: Ballage is a very intriguing athlete with rare explosive athleticism for a back his size. The problem with Ballage’s game is he has very average vision and struggles to see the openings in the line. He also gets a bit too skittish at times and bounces a run to the outside too quickly before looking to see what opens up in front of him. However, despite these downsides, he still has an impressive athletic profile and under the right coaching could perform better at the next level. He’s also a very effective receiver out of the backfield and has the potential to break a big play with the ball in his hands in the open field.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Walton could provide a spark as a change-of-pace back in the Packers offense. However, he’ll have to shore up his issues in pass protection and minimize his drops if he ever wants to see the field on third downs. His lack of size might also limit his opportunities on early running downs or in goal-line situations.

Having said this, Walton is still a very dynamic runner that could be an effective offensive weapon for the Packers. He just may take some time to develop before he actually carves out a role that will help him make an impact on a NFL team.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Ballage would certainly be a project pick if the Packers went in this direction in the draft. It would take a lot for him to unseat the incumbent backs. However, the lifespan at running back in the NFL is short, so Ballage could develop his game and grow as a running back as he bides his time. If he can improve his vision and get a better feel for hitting rushing lanes, he could be a productive player at the next level.

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/// RUNNING BACK CHASE EDMONDS /// RB13 Fordham (JSr)

Edmonds is a small-school back with impressive athletic traits. At the combine, he recorded the fastest three-cone (6.79) and short shuttle (4.07) times for the running back group. His ability to sharply turn a corner or move laterally show up on film as he demonstrates a great knack for bouncing runs to the outside and gaining extra yardage. He’s also a very physical runner who will break tackles and fight through contact. In 2017 he finished second in the FCS in rushing with 1,779 yards.

JOSH ADAMS /// RB14 Notre Dame (Jr)

Adams is a big muscular halfback (6’2’’, 225) who runs physically between the tackles and fights for extra yardage every time he carries the ball. As a junior, he started all 13 games for the Fighting Irish, amassing 1,430 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground with 206 carries. However, some may wonder if Adams is just an average back at the next level and if a lot of his production was more a result of running behind such a stellar Notre Dame offensive line.

JOHN KELLY /// RB15 Tennessee (Jr)

BO SCARBROUGH /// RB12 Alabama (Sr)

Height: 6’1” / Weight: 228 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.52 NFL COMBINE / 14 Bench Reps / 40” Vertical / 129” Broad / 4.34 20-Yard Shuttle 2017 STATS / 124 Att / 596 Yds (4.81 Ypc) / 8 TD /// 17 Rec / 109 Yds IN A NUT SHELL: From a physical standpoint, Scarbrough possesses all of the physical traits teams desire in an NFL running back. He’s powerful, explosive, and has straight-line speed. However, the former Alabama back never fully reached his potential in the Crimson Tide backfield. After backing up Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake his freshman year, Scarbrough split carries with Damien Harris the past two seasons and Harris proved to be the more productive and reliable back in that time. The 6-foot1 back tends to run too high, doesn’t always show good vision, and at times takes too long to get up to speed. Despite these concerns though, the former Alabama halfback is still a very physical runner who can make some hay between the tackles.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Scarbrough is another big, punishing running back from Nick Saban’s program. However, he’s more of a straight-line athlete and will have some limitations at the next level. If selected by Green Bay, he could be a bruiser they use on early downs. He would also be effective in goal-line situations. However, he’s far from a complete player and may not play much of a role on third downs. The Packers would need to rely on their other backs, like Aaron Jones or Jamaal Williams, in passing situations.

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Even though Kelly is a small compact tailback, he still runs well behind his pads and packs a punch at the point of contact. His quick footwork also allows him to make sharp cuts and change direction suddenly. In 11 starts in 2017, the 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back recorded 778 rushing yards on 189 carries and caught 37 receptions for 299 yards to go along with his nine touchdowns on the ground.

AKRUM WADLEY /// RB16 Iowa (Sr)

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound back led the Hawkeyes in rushing each of the past two seasons, exceeding 1,000 yards rushing both years and totaling 20 rushing touchdowns in that time. While Wadley is a smaller back, he’s quick and elusive out in space. He possesses an effective juke and cutback, which allows him to make defenders miss in the open field. He can also serve as a rotational player in the passing game.

JUSTIN JACKSON /// RB17 Northwestern (Sr)

Jackson is a Day 3 back who could provide some value to an NFL team as a role player. While he’s an effective runner—he rushed for 1,311 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017—his best attribute is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He recorded 44 receptions as a senior and 122 receptions in his four years starting at Northwestern.

DARRELL WILLIAMS /// RB18 LSU (Sr)

While splitting carries with Derrius Guice and playing a part-time role in the Tigers offense, Williams still managed 820 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. He averaged 5.66 yards per carry in 2017.

As a bigger back (6’1’’, 229), the former LSU tailback is a physical, downhill runner who isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder and punish defenders. He’d be a nice find late in the draft for any team looking to add a physical runner to their backfield.

ITO SMITH /// RB 19 Southern Miss (Sr)

Smith is a smaller 5-foot-9, 195-pound back with some quickness and wiggle in the open field. He was highly productive at Southern Mississippi, rushing for over 1,100 yards each of the last three seasons, including 40 total touchdowns. He can also be a real weapon in the passing game. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field should give him a role on an NFL team.

ROC THOMPSON /// RB20 Jacksonville St (Sr)

With the first two years of his collegiate career hindered by injuries, Thompson left Auburn and transferred to JSU in 2016. In his only year as a full-time starter, the 5-foot-10, 198-pound tailback splashed on the scene with 1,065 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 178 carries.

Thompson has great burst and possesses true homerun ability as a rusher. He should provide a spark off the bench at the next level.

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FB Position Analysis by:

///

Owen Riese

Jaylen Samuels

///

NC State – Sr

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/// FULLBACK FB1........... JAYLEN

SAMUELS NC State................................................................................. 64 FB2........... DIMITRI FLOWERS Oklahoma............................................................................. 65 FB3........... RYAN NALL Oregon State........................................................................................ 66 FB4........... KHALID HILL Michigan...............................................................................................67 FB5........... AUSTIN RAMESH Wisconsin.................................................................................67 FB6........... REGGIE BONNAFON Louisville.......................................................................... 68 FB7........... NICK BAWDEN San Diego State............................................................................... 68 FB8........... GARRETT DICKERSON Northwestern............................................................. 69 FB9........... HENRY POGGI Michigan........................................................................................... 69 FB10........... MARCUS MARTIN Slippery Rock......................................................................... 70

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HIGHLIGHTS

JAYLEN SAMUELS /// FB1 NC State (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’0” / Weight: 225 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.54 NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / 34.5” Vertical / 121” Broad / 4.28 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.93 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 77 Att / 403 Rush Yds (5.2 Ypc) / 12 TD /// 76 Rec / 597 Yds / 4 TD IN A NUT SHELL: The term “Swiss Army Knife” gets thrown around a lot in football, but Samuels is one of the few players actually deserving of the term. Samuels was technically listed as tight end, but split time as a running back, slot receiver and also has some experience as a return man. Samuels was a major part of the Wolfpack offensive attack, lining up all over the formation. He’s one of the most unique players in this class, and his multitude of skills will provide myriad opportunities to see the field in the NFL. He’s not a dominating blocker, but has experience in pass protection. N.C. State utilized Samuels on jet sweeps, routine zone run plays, bubble and tunnel screens. He is truly the kind of weapon a creative offensive coordinator will maximize.

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BEST GAME: FLORIDA STATE (2017) Samuels was a major part of defeating Florida State, impacting multiple phases of the offensive attack. Samuels completed a pass for 25 yards, rushed for 11 yards on five carries and a touchdown, and caught 12 passes for 64 yards with a score.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Samuels’ unique skill set could prove valuable in Green Bay, depending on how much the Packers figure Ty Montgomery into their future plans. His skills as a pass protector and receiver could immediately pay dividends to the offense, while his ability to motion from a receiving spot into the backfield and run the ball could stress a defense in multiple ways. While Samuels doesn’t possess great vision due to his lack of consistent time in the backfield, his vast skill set could help in a lot of ways in Green Bay.

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HIGHLIGHTS

DIMITRI FLOWERS /// FB2 Oklahoma (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’2” / Weight: 248 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.83 NFL COMBINE / 17 Bench Reps / 30.5” Vertical / 109” Broad / 4.53 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.45 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 14 Att / 22 Rush Yds 1.6 Ypc) / 4 TD /// 26 Rec / 464 Yds / 5 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Flowers is the modern NFL fullback, a player with the ability to run the ball, threaten the defense as a receiver, and stay on the field as a pass protector. Flowers was surrounded by a lot of talented players on the Sooner offense, and always seemed to make a big play or two a game thanks to all the attention being paid to his talented teammates. Flowers is an above average route runner for a fullback, and has impressive hands.

Defenses won’t be able to relax with Flowers in the game, as he can threaten the seams out of the backfield, and is a matchup problem for defenders trying to cover the big back in space.

His abilities on special teams will be critical to making a roster on teams that don’t carry a conventional fullback.

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BEST GAME: IOWA STATE (2017) It’s not usually the case when a players’ best game comes in an upset loss, but Flowers did exactly that against Iowa State in Norman. His only carry resulted in a one-yard touchdown, and he added seven receptions for 95 yards. This type of versatility could make for a fun skillset for a creative offensive coordinator to employ.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: With Aaron Ripkowski’s role seemingly shrinking throughout 2017, and Joe Kerridge’s inability to show enough to remain on the active roster, Dmitri Flowers could be an option for Green Bay. While he’s not as impressive as a blocker as Mike McCarthy might prefer in the run game, his ability to threaten the defense as a receiver is something that the Packers don’t have on the roster. His versatility would be a welcomed addition, as both current fullbacks are seemingly one or the other.

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HIGHLIGHTS

RYAN NALL /// FB3 Oregon State (rJr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’2” / Weight: 232 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.58 NFL COMBINE / 15 Bench Reps / 33” Vertical / 122” Broad / 4.16 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.95 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 165 Att / 810 Rush Yds (4.9 Ypc) / 8 TD /// 27 Rec / 240 Yds / 2 TD IN A NUT SHELL: While Nall is a tailback, he likely will have to exhibit other abilities to stick on a roster, and an H-Back role could end up as an option for the talented early enrollee. Nall is a running back by trade, and won’t get caught once he’s out front. He is incredibly physical as a running back, and has also shown the ability to catch the football reliably out of the backfield. He demonstrated balance as he bounces off tacklers and almost never goes down on first contact. Nall will be used as a special teams player, and will need to show the ability to block to remain on the field in multiple personnel packages.

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BEST GAME: COLORADO STATE (2017) Ryan Nall was unfortunately one of the only weapons on the Beavers offense this day. He had a big game last season in Corvallis, running for 115 yards and a touchdown in the season opener. Nall broke a long run in the second quarter and ran away from the CSU defense. He also caught the ball well on swing passes, and pin-balled through the defenders attempting to tackle him.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Nall could fill the same role as Aaron Ripkowski did earlier in his career, doubling as a fullback and occasional running back. Nall could be a nice compliment to the Packers’ running backs while in on passing downs, and would also be a threat to run the ball out of shotgun. Once he gets downhill, he is very tough to bring down, especially against light boxes with Green Bay in spread.

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/// FULLBACK

KHALID HILL /// FB4

AUSTIN RAMESH /// FB5

Height: 6’2” / Weight: 265 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

Height: 6’1” / Weight: 251 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

Michigan (rSr)

Wisconsin (rSr)

2017 STATS / 17 Att / 34 Yds (2.0 Ypc) / 3 TD /// 5 Rec / 62 Yds / 0 TD

2017 STATS / 17 Att / 89 Yds (5.2 Ypc) / 2 TD /// 6 Rec / 76 Yds / 0 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: Hill is a big athlete who could play fullback and possibly tight end at the next level. He is also a capable short-yardage runner, as he showed at Michigan. He lined up in multiple spots in Michigan’s offensive scheme which features a lot of tight ends, fullbacks and wing/move tight end positions. Hill attacks linebackers and sustains contact through the whistle.

His ability to play multiple positions will help him stick on an NFL roster.

IN A NUT SHELL: Ramesh ran for nearly 6,000 yards in high school, and there were glimpses of his pedigree as a running back when he carried the ball for Wisconsin. Ramesh is a punishing blocker once he gets to the second level and wears defenders down as the game goes on. Wisconsin used him carrying the ball on fullback dives and sweeps. Ramesh is a thickly muscled athlete who has most likely maxed out his frame.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hill would be the best blocker of the fullbacks in Green Bay and a much more capable receiving option than Joe Kerridge.

He also has experience carrying the football, though not much more than fullback dives (a McCarthy favorite). I’m not sure Hill’s bulky physique would allow him to play much in the Packers’ offense outside of being a blocking back.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Ramesh is pretty similar stylistically to Aaron Ripkowski, so if Green Bay is looking to move on from Ripkowski but bring in a similar player, Ramesh would make sense. Ramesh is a better all-around player than Kerridge, but it’s hard to see the Packers carrying multiple fullbacks. Ramesh will need someone to be let go to be considered.

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/// FULLBACK

REGGIE BONNAFON /// FB6

NICK BAWDEN /// FB7

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 220 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 245 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

Louisville (Sr)

San Diego State (Sr)

2017 STATS / 93 Att / 459 Yds (4.9 Ypc) / 7 TD /// 21 Rec / 182 Yds / 1 TD

2017 STATS / 15 Rec / 103 Yds (6.9 Yds/Rec) / 1 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: Started his college career as a quarterback before some Lamar Jackson guy came along. Bonnafon has some similarities to Randall Cobb, who played quarterback at Kentucky but has played wide receiver in the NFL. Bonnafon is far from physical, but is a good route runner for someone with limited experience, and has shown impressive vision as an inside zone runner for the Cardinals. H-back is the most likely position for Bonnafon, but without much more size to put on, may have to make a name for himself as a receiving threat. It's that versatility, his ability to play both running back and receiver, that could make him appealing to NFL teams.

IN A NUT SHELL: Bawden has blocked for two prolific collegiate rushers in Donnel Pumphrey and Rashad Penny. The Aztecs entrusted Bawden to open up holes in the run game, and he was very effective in that role. Bawden used a variety of blocking techniques to keep second level defenders guessing and allowed Bawden to be aggressive in finish plays. He shows reliable hands, though he isn’t much of a threat after the catch. Taller for a fullback, Bawden could possibly play tight end as well in a pinch.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Bonnafon could be an interesting addition to the Packers, with his versatile skill set. The first name that immediately came to mind was Randall Cobb, and while Bonnafon’s peak is not what Randall Cobb was as a player, that style of player has proven to work in Green Bay’s offense before. Bonnafon likely moves all over the place in Green Bay, but H-back could be what he calls home.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: The Packers don’t often employ a traditional blocking-only fullback, as Joe Kerridge has been on the practice squad for the better part of two years. Bawden lacks upside as a receiver or runner, so his special teams work and blocking ability would have to be phenomenal to compensate for his lack of potential in other areas.

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/// FULLBACK

GARRETT DICKERSON /// FB8

HENRY POGGI /// FB9

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 240 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

Height: 6’4” / Weight: 257 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

Northwestern (Sr)

Michigan (rSr)

2017 STATS / 37 Rec / 401 Yds (10.8 Yd/Rec) / 4 TD

2017 STATS / 1 Att / 2 Yds (2 Ypc) / 1 TD /// 2 Rec / 21 Yds / 0 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: Dickerson was a wide receiver in high school, but bulked up to play Northwestern’s “super back” position, essentially what he would be asked to play in the NFL. A hybrid fullback/ tight end for Northwestern, Dickerson was one of the top receiving threats on the team. He showed the ability to reliably catch the football and he’s built like a jumbo wide receiver.

Dickerson wasn’t asked to block much for Northwestern, and that would definitely be his biggest area needing improvement at the next level.

IN A NUT SHELL: A big smasher in the run game, Poggi split time with teammate Khalil Hill at the fullback position for the Wolverines. Bigger than the average fullback, Poggi is almost exclusively a blocker due to his lack of ability as a receiver. He’s well put together, thick throughout his whole frame. Poggi showed he’s more than adequate in pass protection for the Wolverines, recognizing blitzers in multiple schemes.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Dickerson would likely be classified as a move tight end for the Packers, but he could be used as a fullback in receiving situations. He could also be motioned out as a receiver, where he might be most effective trying to draw a mismatch on a smaller or slower defender. Dickerson’s lack of blocking ability really limits him though, and he likely wouldn’t appeal to Green Bay.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Poggi would be almost solely a special teams player and blocking fullback, which doesn’t fit well with the Packers and how scarcely they employ two-back sets. Poggi is good at what he does, he just doesn’t do a whole lot. He’s likely not a Packer target.

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/// FULLBACK

MARCUS MARTIN /// FB10 Slippery Rock (rSr)

Height: 6’2” / Weight: 255 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a 2017 STATS / 82 Tackles / 26.5 Tackles for Loss / 5.5 Sacks / 2 Forced Fum / 3 Fum Recovered / 1 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: Martin is the most prolific pass rusher in Division II history.

However, his lack of length and maximized frame doesn’t bode well for a future at defensive end in the NFL, and his lack of ability in coverage led him to the offensive side of the ball. He played both defensive end and fullback at the East-West Shrine Game. He even caught a ball from J.T. Barrett for a touchdown.

His body probably won’t carry any more weight, with short arms and not much growth potential left to get bigger.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Martin would have to be on every special team. He doesn’t have any real experience carrying the ball past high school, so that’s likely not an option. The Packers could use him as depth as a pass rusher and his role as a blocking back on offense, but he’s likely not going to fit what the Packers are looking for from a fullback on offense.

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WR Position Analysis by:

///

Andrew Garda

Calvin Ridley

///

Alabama – Jr

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/// WIDE RECEIVER WR1........... CALVIN

RIDLEY Alabama.........................................................................................73 WR2........... COURTLAND SUTTON SMU..............................................................................74 WR3........... JAMES WASHINGTON Oklahoma St.................................................................75 WR4........... CHRISTIAN KIRK Texas A&M..................................................................................76 WR5........... DJ MOORE Maryland.....................................................................................................76 WR6........... DEON CAIN Clemson....................................................................................................77 WR7........... DJ CHARK LSU................................................................................................................77 WR8........... SIMMIE COBBS, JR Indiana.................................................................................. 78 WR9........... MICHAEL GALLUP Colorado State........................................................................ 78 WR10........... DANTE PETTIS Washington.................................................................................... 79 WR11........... ANTHONY MILLER Memphis............................................................................... 79 WR12........... TRE’QUAN SMITH UCF.......................................................................................... 80 WR13........... JORDAN LASLEY UCLA.......................................................................................... 80 WR14........... ALLEN LAZARD Iowa State..................................................................................... 80 WR15........... JAVON WIMS Georgia................................................................................................ 80 WR16........... CAM PHILLIPS Virginia Tech................................................................................... 80 WR17........... JESTER WEAH Pitt................................................................................................... 80 WR18........... J’MON MOORE Missouri.......................................................................................... 80 WR19........... KOREY ROBERTSON Southern Miss.................................................................. 80 WR20........... DARREN CARRINGTON II Utah...................................................................... 80 /// ADDITIONAL PLAYERS (NOT FEATURED)

WR21........... DESEAN

HAMILTON Penn State WR22........... KEKE COUTEE Texas Tech WR23........... ROBERT FOSTER Alabama WR24........... RAY-RAY MCCLOUD Clemson WR25........... BRYCE BOBO Colorado

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72

HIGHLIGHTS

CALVIN RIDLEY /// WR1 Alabama (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’0” / Weight: 189 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.43 / Hands: 9 1/8” NFL COMBINE / 15 Bench Reps / 31” Vertical / 110” Broad / 4.41 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.88 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 63 Rec / 967 Yds (15.3 Yds/Rec) / 5 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Ridley can separate, but it’s more than just the blinding speed we saw in Indianapolis at the combine. Ridley runs a great route tree — and he had to run the whole thing at Alabama — and he does so with great fluidity and consistency at each level. He moves crisply in and out of breaks with a nice transition, and can shake a defender. With his speed, he might find defenders willing to leave him some padding, which would be a bad idea as he can eat that space up swiftly. Ridley snatches the ball well out of the air, and does a nice job securing it to run. The most consistent criticism of Ridley is his lack of physicality. He can be knocked off his routes too easily if a defender gets his hands on him, and contact is a problem for him. While he has good hands, he tends to drop balls when he hears the footsteps of a defender.

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COMBINE PERFORMANCE: He didn’t have the best combine we’ve ever seen, but his 4.43 40 and 110” broad jump should have secured his spot as the top receiver in this draft. Teams were already high on him because of his hands and route running, but the 40-yard dash showed he has the vertical speed to be dangerous at the next level. Add that in to the other wide receiver skills he displayed and his apparent ability to smoothly transition between unfamiliar quarterbacks without any hiccups, and Ridley just cemented his place at the top of this class.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Ridley met with Green Bay while at the combine, and the Packers are definitely kicking the tires on receivers in this draft. While Green Bay has made it clear Randall Cobb is still part of the family, how many more years is anyone’s guess and though Davante Adams has emerged as a real weapon, the unit is otherwise thin. The Packers never took a receiver in the first round under Ted Thompson, and would likely have to break that trend to snag Ridley. That said, his speed and route running ability would be a nice fit for this offense.

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HIGHLIGHTS

COURTLAND SUTTON /// WR2 SMU (rJr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’3” / Weight: 218 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.54 / Hands: 9 3/4” NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / 35.5” Vertical / 124” Broad / 4.11 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.57 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 68 Rec / 1,085 Yds (16.0 Yds/Rec) / 12 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Sutton is a big, physical possession receiver, who isn’t fazed by having to work in traffic or take a hit mid-catch. He likes to use his body and length when catching balls and has a solid catch radius. While his speed doesn’t scare anyone on tape, he finds ways to separate right before the ball arrives. Using his hands or walling off a defender with his body. Sutton lacks top-end speed and isn’t terribly quick on tape, which allows defenders to set up for him, one of the reasons he ends up having to fight for so many balls. He does help his quarterback out by fighting back to the ball when it’s off-target, and is a willing and able blocker. There are concerns about how he played against better defenses.

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BEST GAME: Sutton lit up North Texas in SMU’s second game of the 2017 season, dominating the Mean Green throughout the game and setting a single-game SMU record with four touchdowns to go along with eight catches for 163 yards. Sutton scored three times on passes of 62, 40 and 35 yards as well as a nice red zone catch of four yards to close the first half, putting SMU in the lead 24-10.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: A big, reliable red zone target would help Aaron Rodgers, who has been looking for a big, tight end-like threat for some time.

Sutton isn’t a tight end, but he does play a bit like one and his ability to adjust to the ball and make tough catches is the sort of thing Rodgers likes in a receiver. While he lacks explosiveness in his route running right now, his outstanding testing numbers suggest he could become more dynamic as a route runner. If he can add that to his ability to go up and grab a contested ball, he could become a favorite target for Rodgers.

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HIGHLIGHTS

JAMES WASHINGTON /// WR3 Oklahoma St. (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 5’11” / Weight: 213 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.54 / Hands: 9 3/4” NFL COMBINE / 14 Bench Reps / 34.5” Vertical / 120” Broad / 4.32 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.11 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 74 Rec / 1,549 Yds (20.9 Yds/Rec) / 13 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Washington may not be the largest guy, but he plays way bigger than he looks like he should, using his explosiveness to create big plays. His burst gets him off the line swiftly and helps him to beat press coverage, while his overall speed allowed him to average more than 20 yards a catch over the last three seasons.

Washington has great ball awareness and can track a pass effortlessly, making it easier to adjust to one or accelerate underneath a longer throw. Washington has a “my ball” mentality and will high-point the ball whether he’s being challenged on the throw or not. His speed lets him work outside, but he’s willing and able to line up in the slot, where his speed with a two-way go makes him a dangerous option. He didn’t have to run the full route tree at Oklahoma State, which could limit his effectiveness until he can learn an NFL playbook and routes. Washington struggles on underneath routes and will sometimes fight the ball when catching it.

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CAREER: Washington has earned a reputation for long plays, and his overall average backs that up. Over the course of four years, he caught 226 balls for 4,472 yards, ending up with a yards-percatch average of 19.78. While doing so he also caught 39 touchdowns. Over the course of his senior year, Washington topped 100 yards receiving nine times in 13 games, and scored in all but three games. As a senior, he was named to multiple All-American teams, was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and was a first-team All-Conference player.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Washington’s speed in the vertical game could be a big help to the offense. That being said, he wasn’t asked to run very complex routes at Oklahoma State, and it’s hard to say if he will be able to pull it off in Green Bay. That’s a problem, given how precise the routes are for the Packers offense, and how much Aaron Rodgers needs to know his guy will be where he’s supposed to be when Rodgers lets the ball loose.

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/// WIDE RECEIVER

CHRISTIAN KIRK /// WR4

DJ MOORE /// WR5

40-Yard Dash: 4.47 / Hands: 9 7/8”

40-Yard Dash: 4.42 / Hands: 9”

Texas A&M (Jr) Height: 5’10” / Weight: 200 lbs. /

Maryland (Jr) Height: 6’0” / Weight: 210 lbs. /

NFL COMBINE / 20 Bench Reps / 35.5" Vertical / 115" Broad / 4.45 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.09 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 15 Bench Reps / 39.5” Vertical / 132” Broad / 4.07 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.95 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 66 Rec / 859 Yds (13.0 Yds/Rec) / 10 TD

2017 STATS / 80 Rec / 1,033 Yds (12.9 Yds/Rec) / 8 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: Kirk is a thick, strong receiver ideally suited to play in the slot. Quicker than fast, he can get in and out of breaks swiftly but isn’t running away from anyone before or after the catch.

When he does get the ball secured, runs hard and will punish tacklers. Kirk has nice hands, can make a soft catch and isn’t reluctant to try and scoop a ball off the ground on a low throw.

His quickness makes him an excellent return man as well.

Kirk’s lack of top-end speed makes it hard for him to shake coverage on vertical routes, but on shorter routes his footwork shines. Running 4.45 at the combine could allay fears about his speed as well.

IN A NUT SHELL: Moore is a receiver with good speed, who measured in above his listed height, giving him an excellent size/speed ratio.

Moore moves his feet well and his acceleration helps him blast past defenders who press too close to the line. Moore also has some nice afterburners, accelerating once he gets past a cornerback or safety, or run away from defenders after the catch. While he was productive in college, it came on some very simplistic route concepts and plays. While he is aggressive in gaining yards after the catch, he too often doesn’t attack his initial routes with as much gusto. Even with his speed and better-than-expected size, Moore doesn’t quite have what it takes to be an outside receiver and could end up in the slot.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: His aggressiveness before and after the catch is a bonus, and would be a nice addition to the Packers' offense, and a lack of elite speed never hurt Randall Cobb in this offense.

The reliability on shorter routes would be something the Packers could use, but at A&M he seemed to need help via crossing or rub routes to get free. The Packers don’t seem like a team that wants to work that hard to get a receiver open, but Kirk’s mentality and strength might allow them to be patient with him.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: If Moore could sharpen his route running skills, he’d be a great fit for Green Bay and reminiscent of what Randall Cobb can do at his best. Moore’s speed and run-after-the-catch ability make him a danger across the middle and if he can slip behind the linebackers, teams would have issues tracking him down. That said, he’d need to dedicate himself to improving his routes, which could be as simple as learning to play faster at a more consistent rate.

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/// WIDE RECEIVER

DEON CAIN /// WR6

DJ CHARK /// WR7

Clemson (Jr) Height: 6’2” / Weight: 202 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.43 / Hands: 8 3/4”

LSU (Sr) Height: 6’3” / Weight: 199 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.34 / Hands: 9 1/4”

NFL COMBINE / 11 Bench Reps / 33.5” Vertical / 115” Broad / 4.37 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.71 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 16 Bench Reps / 40” Vertical / 129” Broad

2017 STATS / 58 Rec / 734 Yds (12.7 Yds/Rec) / 6 TD

2017 STATS / 40 Rec / 874 Yds (21.9 Yds/Rec) / 3 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: Cain was a solid receiver at Clemson, but struggled when he became the No. 1 receiver. That may be the biggest issue with him: despite a great feel for the position, nice route running and an ability to read and react to coverage, Cain wilts a bit when he is the main focus of an offense. Cain can go over the top, as well as be effective on short and intermediate routes.

At the catch point, he plucks the ball nicely out of the air. Cain has solid body control, and can make catches along the perimeter while keeping himself in bounds. At times his focus seems to slip, which results in drops, but if he can fix that he should have a long, solid career.

IN A NUT SHELL: Chark has the ideal combination of size and speed, with the acceleration to get away from people right off the line. His overall speed makes it tough for defenders to recover when he’s past them. Chark’s routes are nothing to write home about, and he needs there to really be a force at the next level. Chark will also need to work on breaking free of corners when they press and get their hands on him. Right now he is more of a straight-line runner, who has to work hard to get his route running up to speed. He can run shorter routes and is unafraid in traffic, assuming he can get off the line and shake an initial defender’s hit.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Cain is another decent option for the Packers, and while his focus drops are a concern, that’s something Green Bay could easily fix. It shouldn’t scare Packers fans that on the surface, Cain doesn’t look like a WR1, as nobody outside of Green Bay was sold on Jordy Nelson for that role before he took to it. With patience, Cain could be a very dangerous perimeter weapon for Green Bay and an eventual successor for Jordy Nelson.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: It’s not a great fit, as right now Chark does one thing well: run fast in a straight line. If he could improve his routes and work off the line, especially against press coverage, that would be one thing. But as it stands, he is a one-trick pony and the Packers aren’t desperate for that one trick.

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/// WIDE RECEIVER

SIMMIE COBBS, JR /// WR8

Indiana (rJr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 220 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.64 / Hands: 9 1/4”

MICHAEL GALLUP /// WR9

Colorado State (Sr) Height: 6’1” / Weight: 205 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.51 / Hands: 9 1/4”

NFL COMBINE / 11 Bench Reps / 30” Vertical / 113” Broad / 4.32 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.70 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 10 Bench Reps / 36” Vertical / 122” Broad / 4.37 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.95 Three-Cone / 11.84 60-Yd

2017 STATS / 72 Rec / 841 Yds (11.7 Yds/Rec) / 8 TD

2017 STATS / 100 Rec / 1,418 Yds (14.1 Yds/Rec) / 7 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: The good news is that Cobbs has tremendous size he can use to beat up smaller defenders and bully corners near the goal line. The bad news is he isn’t very quick and struggles to separate at the line. Further, Cobbs can’t get away from corners once they are on him, and that leads to batted in tight coverage.

Scouts were hoping his 40 time would offer some hope he might be faster than he looks on tape, but that didn’t happen. He needs to improve his route running in an effort to overcome issues shaking coverage.

IN A NUT SHELL: Gallup is still peaking and learning to play the position, so he’s raw but you can see the potential on film. He has very good size, nice overall speed and solid burst. While he was very productive at Colorado State, he struggled in his matchup against Alabama this year. That was a defense with NFL-quality talent and the tape shows he wasn’t quite up for the challenge.

That said, despite being green (no pun intended given his college), he has shown improvement each season, and even within the season. He has enough speed and his route running is coming along. With work, he has the stuff to be successful.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: There’s just too much to work on here. Sure, the Packers could help him improve coming off the line, but Cobbs can struggle with passes that aren’t perfect. Aaron Rodgers needs receivers who can adjust to the ball and account for an off-balance throw.

Cobbs isn’t that guy and may never be.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: The raw level of play might be a turnoff, but the basics are there and short term, the Packers don’t need him to be perfect.

In reality, what’s most attractive is how much he has constantly improved. That’s a great indicator of success, and his upside looks like it could be through the roof.

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/// WIDE RECEIVER

DANTE PETTIS /// WR10

ANTHONY MILLER /// WR11

Washington (Sr) Height: 6’1” / Weight: 192 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a / Hands: 9 1/2”

Memphis (rSr) Height: 5’11” / Weight: 190 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a / Hands: 10”

NFL COMBINE / DNP

NFL COMBINE / 22 Bench Reps

2017 STATS / 63 Rec / 761 Yds (12.1 Yds/Rec) / 7 TD /// 21 Punt Ret / 428 Yds (20.4 Avg) / 4 TD

2017 STATS / 96 Rec / 1,462 Yds (15.2 Yds/Rec) / 18 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: Pettis is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during the Huskies’ Apple Cup win over Washington State in late November, so he didn’t partake of any of the measurable drills at the combine. Pettis is explosive, but not fast on film, though his ability to read the field and cause chaos on a punt returns despite the apparent lack of speed is impressive. He’s good at making defenders miss, and runs a tight route. Pettis can be inconsistent, and his touchdown production this year was essentially clustered around two games.

IN A NUT SHELL: Miller was a highly productive receiver for Memphis, and topped 1,400 yards in each of the last two years while also scoring 32 total touchdowns. In both of the last two seasons, he also caught more than 95 passes. Miller is highly competitive and will fight for the ball, and he has excellent ball tracking skills. He has excellent stutter steps, which makes his route breaks hard to follow for defenders, but he seems to be quicker than he is fast. Miller can adjust his body to a ball in flight, making catches on poorly thrown balls and adversity plays.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Pettis would first and foremost be an excellent addition to the Packers special teams unit, specifically on punt returns.

Another in a long line of guys in this class who is likely destined to end up in the slot, Pettis would do a nice job on underneath routes for Green Bay inside, though he does struggle with more physical defenders.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: A scrambling quarterback doesn’t seem to rattle Miller, and his ability to adjust to a funky throw is something which could make him attractive to the Packers. That being said, he seems to struggle on shorter routes and on shorter throws, and given his questionable speed on tape, may not be able to separate on deep passes. That could limit his impact and make him less attractive for Green Bay.

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/// WIDE RECEIVER JORDAN LASLEY /// WR13 UCLA (Jr)

Lasley is an explosive player who has big-play potential, but the combination of a massive amount of drops and some offthe-field issues hurt his value. It’s one thing to decide you’ll put up with a drop when it’s followed up by a big play, but his focus on and off the field is a major concern.

ALLEN LAZARD /// WR14 Iowa State (Sr)

Lazard has fantastic size and a big frame, but isn’t athletic and lacks speed. He’s very much a possession receiver, and while he was very productive, that’s all he is. There has been some thought he could become a tight end in the NFL.

JAVON WIMS /// WR15 Georgia (Sr)

Wims has improved over the course of his career in Georgia, and looked really good last year, with some impressive catches.

He needs to better learn how to use his size and overall ball skills to better effect, and he has to improve his route work as he lacks the speed and quickness to beat the press.

TRE’QUAN SMITH /// WR12 UCF (rJr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 217 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.49 / Hands: 9 1/2”

NFL COMBINE / 12 Bench Reps / 37.5” Vertical / 130” Broad / 4.5 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.97 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 59 Rec / 1,171 Yds (19.8 Yds/Rec) / 13 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Smith is a long, speedy receiver who has made some circus catches in his time at UCF, during which he also got better each season. Smith can separate downfield with his speed, and doesn’t have to gear down once he makes the catch. He’s not afraid to go up and fight for a ball, and his long arms (33 3/8’’ at the combine) give him a huge catch radius. Smith can line up outside or inside, and is a willing blocker as well. Smith lacks explosion though, and has to build up his speed. For all his size, he doesn’t use it as well as he could, and his route running is raw.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Smith’s overall speed and his large catch radius make him an intriguing option for the Packers, a team which lacks a vertical receiver, especially one who can catch a large variety of balls thrown his way. He has struggled with drops in the past, and the fact that he doesn’t use his size to his advantage as much as one would like are negatives. As a later round option though, Green Bay may be willing to work with him on those things.

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CAM PHILLIPS /// WR16 Virginia Tech (Sr)

Phillips isn’t very physical and doesn’t fight hard enough for disputed balls. As a guy who projects as a possession receiver, there has to be some “my ball” mentality and Phillips doesn’t seem to have it. His route running, good hands and ability to high point a pass are attractive though.

JESTER WEAH /// WR17 Pitt (Sr)

Weah has a nice combination of size and speed, with strong hands but he needs to build up speed and doesn’t really have the quickness to separate off the line. Weah can snatch a ball in traffic and rest it away in a crowd, but he’s had practice in large part because he can’t separate.

J’MON MOORE /// WR18 Missouri (Sr)

While Moore improved greatly from his junior to senior year, he’s still awfully raw. Missouri kept him on just one half of the field, which has limited his overall growth as a receiver. Moore has tremendous speed and really nice size, so the upside is there, but there’s a lot of work to be done to maximize his potential.

KOREY ROBERTSON /// WR19 Southern Miss (Jr)

Robertson has some decent speed but needs a bit of a runway to build up to his top end, so scouts will be going over his 10 and 20-yard splits from his 4.57 40 in Indy. He has good length and height, as well as nice athleticism, but saw his production drop precipitously in his last year at Southern Miss.

DARREN CARRINGTON II /// WR20 Utah (Sr)

Carrington tends to get stuck on a jam when corners press, and isn’t very smooth running routes, with awkward looking breaks and cuts. He’s very raw, but has strong instincts when running his patterns. His numerous off-field issues could scare teams.

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TE Position Analysis by:

///

Ralph Mancini

Hayden Hurst

///

South Carolina – Jr

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/// TIGHT END TE1........... HAYDEN

HURST South Carolina........................................................................... 83 TE2........... MARK ANDREWS Oklahoma............................................................................... 84 TE3........... DALLAS GOEDERT South Dakota State.............................................................. 85 TE4........... MIKE GESICKI Penn State......................................................................................... 86 TE5........... DALTON SCHULTZ Stanford................................................................................. 86 TE6........... TROY FUMAGALLI Wisconsin............................................................................. 87 TE7........... TYLER CONKLIN Central Michigan....................................................................... 87 TE8........... ADAM BRENEMAN Massachusetts.................................................................... 88 TE9........... IAN THOMAS Indiana............................................................................................... 88 TE10........... ANDREW VOLLERT Weber State....................................................................... 89 TE11........... BRANDON LINGEN Minnesota............................................................................ 89 TE12........... DAVID WELLS San Diego State................................................................................ 90 TE13........... CHRIS HERNDON Miami....................................................................................... 90 TE14........... MARCUS BAUGH Ohio State................................................................................. 90 TE15........... ETHAN WOLF Michigan........................................................................................... 90 TE16........... JAYLEN SAMUELS NC State................................................................................. 90 TE17........... CAM SERIGNE Wake Forest..................................................................................... 90 TE18........... WILL DISSLY Washington......................................................................................... 90 TE19........... DURHAM SMYTH Notre Dame............................................................................. 90 TE20........... RYAN IZZO Florida State.............................................................................................. 90 /// ADDITIONAL PLAYERS (NOT FEATURED)

TE21........... JEB

BLAZEVICH

Georgia

TE22........... RYAN

Marshall

YURACHEK

TE25........... JAKE

ROH

Boise State

TE26........... JORDAN

THOMAS AKINS

Mississippi State

TE23........... AUSTIN

ROBERTS

TE27........... JORDAN

TE24........... SHANE

WINNMAN

UCLA

UCF

Northern Illinois

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HIGHLIGHTS

HAYDEN HURST /// TE1 South Carolina (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’4 3/4” / Weight: 252 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.67 NFL COMBINE / 31.5” Vertical / 120” Broad / 4.37 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.19 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 44 Rec / 559 Yds (12.7 Yds/Rec) / 2 TD IN A NUT SHELL: The former walk-on is a run-after-catch lethal weapon, who flashes unique acceleration out of his routes and can really turn on the jets the further he gets downfield. In addition to vexing defenders with his suddenness, Hurst is a sure-handed athlete that is equally adept at going airborne for high balls as he is in scooping up passes thrown at his knees. The one-time Pittsburgh Pirates prospect is particularly effective in the slot where he has the ability to beat slower defenders off the line and also possesses the ability to make the first man miss after securing the ball. Furthermore, he doesn’t shy away from contact and has no qualms about lowering his shoulder into an opponent.

On the negative side, Hurst is an overaged rookie-in-waiting, who will turn 25 in August and his blocking technique is subpar in that he appears as if he’s on roller skates when engaging an adversary at the line.

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BEST GAME: GEORGIA (2017) Considering both the quality of his opponent and statistical output, Hurst’s performance against the national title runnerup Georgia Bulldogs was hands-down his most impressive. He totaled seven catches for 93 yards, including a 23-yard grab where he settled into a hole in the zone and bailed out quarterback Jake Bentley, who was under heavy duress.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hurst is the type of vertical threat that can exploit the deep seams and may even remind some fans of Jermichael Finley in that respect. The former Gamecock will never be the type of blocker who’ll be able to handle a defensive end on his own, but his explosiveness as a pass catcher would force the Packers to find a way to get this man on the field as much as possible without burdening him with too responsibilities at the line of scrimmage. He shares similarities with Zach Ertz.

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HIGHLIGHTS

MARK ANDREWS /// TE2 Oklahoma (rJr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’5” / Weight: 255 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.67 NFL COMBINE / 17 Bench Reps / 31.0” Vertical / 113” Broad / 4.38 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.34 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 62 Rec / 958 Yds (15.5 Yds/Rec) / 8 TD IN A NUT SHELL: The former Sooner brings a well-rounded skill set to the pro game as a tight end that uses his soft, easy hands to effortlessly reel in throws whether he’s in the air, on the ground or with his body halfway twisted toward his quarterback. Andrews doesn’t typically win with speed, but he quickly gets into his routes, adjusts to throws and can be elusive after the catch.

The Arizona native is a master at beating linebackers and safeties cleanly off the line laterally, with deception or force.

He particularly excels at baiting pass rushers into believing he’s looking to block and quickly turning upfield as a wide-open target. He’s a functional blocker who positions himself well on screen plays but is far from dominant in that area.

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BEST GAME: TCU / BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP (2017) There were at least three other games that one could make an argument for, but his showing versus TCU in the Big 12 Championship game tops the list. Andrews scored two touchdowns, the second of which saw him run a flawless post and catch the ball in between two defenders. He consistently got open on intermediate and deep patterns in that contest.

The future pro played a key role in the Sooners qualifying for the playoffs.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Andrews is a complete tight end that has the ability to step in and be Green Bay’s top tight end from Day 1. He can line up in-line and take on linemen or split out wide, in the slot or in the backfield. The former Sooner standout may not possess the big-play upside of Hurst but should at least be a viable shortarea target from the very beginning. Andrew’s versatility is reminiscent of former Washington workhorse Chris Cooley.

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HIGHLIGHTS

DALLAS GOEDERT /// TE3 South Dakota State (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’4 1/2” / Weight: 260 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: DNP (4.68 Pre-combine) NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / 72 Rec / 1,111 Yds (15.4 Yds/Rec) / 7 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Goedert is a big, thick athlete but don’t let that fool you into doubting his agility to sell out and adjust to wayward balls outside his frame. In addition to making over-the-shoulder downfield plays, this massive pass catcher can also dominate smaller defenders across the middle by posting them up and shielding them from the ball. The small-school tight end’s body control is impeccable, as is his combination of vision and patience as a runner after the catch. This multi-sport prospect who can execute a variety of dunks is quite adept at quickly releasing off the line and changing directions. But most importantly, Goedert’s hands are pillow soft and he’s demonstrated the ability to come down with some of the more spectacular one-handed grabs you’ll ever see by a tight end. As a blocker, he is lacking in technique, but can get by with his size and overall momentum if he’s used properly.

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BEST GAME: NORTH DAKOTA STATE (2016) His 2016 performance versus North Dakota State was one for the time capsule as he dominated defenders all afternoon to the tune of 11 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown in a tight 19-17 victory for the Jack Rabbits. Goedert could have easily had about five more receptions and at least another touchdown had his quarterback been more accurate that day.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: The freakish Goedert has the length, strength and athletic ability to be a mismatch for defenses, considering that he can get open with size, speed and his trademark agility. His presence in the middle of the field should facilitate things for Davante Adams and Randall Cobb as deep safeties will need to be mindful of this towering go-to target, particularly in the red zone area.

If Mike McCarthy can’t find ways to exploit the physical gifts of this Travis Kelce clone, then it may be time for the long-time head coach to polish up that résumé for his next destination.

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/// TIGHT END

MIKE GESICKI /// TE4

DALTON SCHULTZ /// TE5

Height: 6’5 3/8” / Weight: 242 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.54

Height: 6’5 3/4” / Weight: 248 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.75

Penn State (Sr)

Stanford (rJr)

NFL COMBINE / 22 Bench Reps / 41.5” Vertical / 129” Broad / 4.10 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.76 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 15 Bench Reps / 32” Vertical / 120” Broad / 4.40 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.00 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 57 Rec / 563 Yds (9.9 Yds/Rec) / 9 TD

2017 STATS / 22 Rec / 212 Yds (9.67 Yds/Rec) / 3 TD

IN A NUT SHELL:

IN A NUT SHELL: Schultz is well-built and very much looks the part. He was often used as an in-line tight end, where he excelled at turning opponents inside as a down blocker. He doesn’t always generate movement in his blocking assignments, but consistently stonewalled defenders and kept them locked up. The former Cardinal is also an effective pass protector who isn’t shy about getting into an edge rusher’s chest. As a pass catcher, Schultz mainly ran underneath routes, such as hitches and digs, but executed them with precision. He’s particularly difficult to stop on the Y-option, where he runs straight into his man, pushes off and gains separation.

Long and limber with 10 ¼” hands and 34 ¹⁄₈” arms, this converted hoopster can extend, make circus catches in stride and keep his feet in bounds on sideline throws. Gesicki has some deception in his game with how he utilizes a series of head fakes to shake his defender off the line of scrimmage. In addition, the three-year starter’s ease of movement allows him to change directions as a runner in the open field. Gesicki’s big-time hops, which give him the power to leap small buildings in a single bound, along with his electrifying body control are characteristics that can help him quickly develop into any quarterback’s best friend. The long-striding tight end has a great sense of timing when high pointing the ball and ran a great post route as a collegian by deftly faking his motion outside and cutting his pattern back in. His drawbacks are his lithe Gumby-like frame and glaring deficiencies as a blocker, where he often looks awkward in engaging adversaries, lets guys get underneath him and also tends to totally whiff when trying to strike his man.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: His length and jumping ability make him a superb red-zone threat, but his lack of strength could throw off his timing and prevent him from consistently getting open. Gesicki will need to learn how to win with power as well as with his size and athletic ability.

From a comparison standpoint, this PSU stud resembles his former teammate Jesse James.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: The fourth-year junior may never be first-team All-Pro, but can be a 10-year starter, who knows the nuances of a pro-style system and brings a dose of reliability as both a blocker and a short-area receiver. If Schultz can add some more strength to his frame, he can flourish into a Jason Witten type (though we’re not suggesting he’s a future Hall of Famer), who wins his battles with skills and precision rather than speed and agility.

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/// TIGHT END

TROY FUMAGALLI /// TE6

TYLER CONKLIN /// TE7

40-Yard Dash: DNP (4.76 Pre-combine)

Height: 6’2 7/8” / Weight: 252 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.80

Wisconsin (rSr) Height: 6’4 7/8” / Weight: 242 lbs. / NFL COMBINE / 14 Bench Reps / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / 46 Rec / 547 Yds (11.9 Yds/Rec) 4 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: Underutilized as a pass catcher, Fumagalli did most of his work in the trenches, where he walled off blockers in the run game and demonstrated solid technique in squaring up his man and getting his hands into his chest. He moves well when he’s put in motion to pick up backside defenders as an H-back. The two-year starter can also get downfield when blocking at the second and third levels. In the passing game, Fumagalli can make contested catches by using his size to body up opponents, particularly on crossing routes. The former Badger has the instincts to find a hole to sit in against zone coverage and is laser-focused on securing the ball before turning upfield. The senior prospect lacks the speed and suddenness to create significant separation, which limits his upside.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: While Fumagalli has the hands and body control to make routine plays underneath, he’s not a vertical weapon. His deficiencies in that area make him a low-end starter at best, but makes a rock-solid TE2, where he would blossom alongside a more dynamic athlete. With added strength, this physical, short-area game can develop into a poor man’s Jack Doyle.

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Central Michigan (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / 38” Vertical / 120” Broad / 4.23 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.13 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 35 Rec / 504 Yds (14.4 Yds/Rec) / 5 TD IN A NUT SHELL: This fast riser is benefitting from strong performances in the Senior Bowl and scouting combine due to his ability to run smooth routes and accelerate away from coverage. But he’s more than just a fluid runner. Conklin plays physically, able to fight his way through contact and doesn’t let cover men knock him off course. The undersized tight end also has a pair of soft mitts to tip off-target passes to himself if necessary. He is a more of a move player than in-line blocker, but shows excellent instincts in anticipating the oncoming defender while keeping his shoulders square to his target before cutting him off. He has the kind of technique that can help him serve as an effective lead blocker lined up in the backfield.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Conklin is a versatile weapon who has a great feel for the game.

His combination of quickness and ability to track the ball with bodies around should make him a quick study at the next level. A major concern, though, is a foot injury he suffered before his senior year that significantly slowed him down.

This well-rounded prospect can be the new Randy McMichael, who had some good run with the Dolphins and Rams.

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/// TIGHT END

ADAM BRENEMAN /// TE8

Massachusetts (rSr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 241 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: DNP (4.78 Pre-combine) NFL COMBINE / DNP 2017 STATS / 64 Rec / 764 Yds (11.9 Yds/Rec) / 4 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: This former five-star recruit is long, lean and has the ability to extend and dive for balls that are outside his immediate area code. Penn State expected a great deal from Breneman when it signed him as the top-rated high school tight end in the nation, but a pair of knee injuries curtailed his development.

Still, the one-time Nittany Lion is a smooth operator who can glide into his patterns and disguise his routes on double moves.

He’s sure-handed and hasn’t shown any ball-security issues.

His acceleration and large catch radius make him hard to stop in the red zone, but can’t get underneath guys or move them as a blocker at the point of attack.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Breneman is a big receiver that is fluid and can handle executing myriad routes, but he lacks the physical characteristics to ever be a serviceable in-line tight end. This Day 3 prospect has some similarities to Jordan Cameron, but is a much more developed route runner. Breneman might also remind some fans of Tyler Eifert with his superb body control.

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IAN THOMAS /// TE9 Indiana (Sr)

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 256 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.74 NFL COMBINE / 36” Vertical / 123” Broad / 4.20 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.15 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 25 Rec / 376 Yds (14.4 Yds/Rec) / 5 TD IN A NUT SHELL: The JUCO transfer via Nassau Community College has considerable natural ability as demonstrated by the fact that he’s a smooth runner that quickly gets into his routes. Thomas is a master at turning his frame and securing under-thrown balls in one motion while he’s running downfield. But while the one-year starter at Indiana is a physical sort that can fight off defenders, he is a straight-line runner with limited change-of-direction skills that prevent him from creating downfield separation. In fact, the former Hoosier struggles to execute sharp routes and doesn’t appear elusive after the catch. Overall, Thomas is a developmental player that is unrefined as a receiver and blocker, where he’s struggles with his hand placement.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Thomas can’t be expected to fulfill a major role in the offense from the outset. He’ll need to be brought along slowly as his skills aren’t quite up to par with his athletic tools. Right now, he’s overly dependent on his size and natural strength to win his battles in the passing game. He shares some similarities with Richard Rodgers when the veteran tight end entered the draft out the University of California-Berkeley.

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/// TIGHT END

ANDREW VOLLERT /// TE10

BRANDON LINGEN /// TE11

40-Yard Dash: DNP (4.79 Pre-combine)

Height: 6’5” / Weight: 250 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: DNP

Weber State (rSr) Height: 6’5 1/2” / Weight: 245 lbs. /

Minnesota (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / DNP

NFL COMBINE / DNP

2017 STATS / 61 Rec / 773 Yds (12.7 Yds/Rec) / 5 TD

2017 STATS / 9 Rec / 84 Yds (9.3 Yds/Rec) / 2 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: The former Big Sky Conference standout does a fine job of finding open holes in coverage and runs well enough to make plays up the deep seams. Vollert uses his long frame to adjust to high balls as well as passes thrown behind him, but needs to improve in securing the ball and bracing himself for contact.

At the college level, he showed the ability to box out his defender on underneath routes along with making plays down the field.

This small school phenom is a precise route runner who wins more with size and skill than with pure speed. However, Vollert’s level of competition wasn’t very good and he is no way overpowering as a blocker.

IN A NUT SHELL: What stands out about this pass-catching tight end is his ability to track the football. He is among the best in this year’s tight end class at high pointing passes in traffic. Lingen is terrific at getting himself in the best position to get open by walling off smaller defenders and proceeds to turn upfield without any hesitancy. The former Golden Gopher can line up at different positions, including split out wide. He’s been described as an “adequate” blocker and while he has the speed to get downfield on second-level blocks, he the sort of guy who gets in the way of defenders and not someone who moves bodies. An assortment of past injuries, such as a torn labrum and a broken collarbone, are concerning.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Despite his small school status, Vollert can be a factor in the passing game early on despite lacking blazing speed. His biggest drawback initially will be dealing will pass rushers in pass protection. The young man’s blocking assignments will have to be minimized at the outset, but he should be able to compete for a roster spot and function as a TE2 if need be. This sure-handed weapon’s characteristics are reminiscent of Oregon State product Kevin Boss.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: If he can get over his proneness to injury, Lingen has the physical tools and skills to be a TE1 that can be productive in the slot, split out wide or in the backfield as an H-back. He has the size to improve as a blocker. By watching this receiving threat in action, one can see many of the same traits that Cameron Brate possesses.

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/// TIGHT END CHRIS HERNDON /// TE13 Miami (Sr) Solidly built, max-effort blocker who was used primarily as blocker out of the backfield. He can hold his ground, but doesn’t move defenders, let alone put them on their backs. He isn’t as effective as an edge blocker. Teams will need to put him on the move. Herndon has solid hands, but lacks special burst after the catch.

MARCUS BAUGH /// TE14 Ohio State (rSr) College stats aren’t indicative of Baugh’s upside considering his route-running prowess and leaping ability. Baugh is deceptive in the way he presses defenders inside and breaks outside. He has reliable hands as a short-area receiver and can generate some speed after the catch with his long strides. The former Buckeye needs work in pass protection, where his poor hand positioning prevents him from maintaining a solid grip on his man.

ETHAN WOLF /// TE15 Michigan (Sr) A long, lean, athletic Coby Fleener-type who can come down with spectacular catches, Wolf is also straight-line runner who doesn’t get much YAC. Wolf flashes impressive body control to track the ball over the shoulder and can scoop up low offerings. He is a nonfactor as a blocker, playing with no base and poor balance. He needs to get stronger.

DAVID WELLS /// TE12 San Diego State (rSr)

Height: 6’5 3/8” / Weight: 252 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a NFL COMBINE / 20 Bench Reps / 33” Vertical / 116” Broad / 4.59 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.50 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 9 Rec / 133 Yds (14.8 Yds/Rec) / 2 TD IN A NUT SHELL: The tall, thick prospect is an old-school in-line blocker that can envelop his man and wrestle him to the ground. He routinely stonewalled opponents at least, and often uproots his defender. Furthermore, Wells has the ability to hit secondary targets after making his initial block. The former high school quarterback had a minimal role in the passing game at San Diego State, but quickly put the ball away and turned upfield in his limited opportunities and was tough to bring down.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: He’s a complementary player, but can be among the best at what he excels at and in his case, that’s blocking. He has the traits of being dominant at the line of scrimmage and can probably even chip in at tackle in a pinch. Wells needs to be developed as a pass catcher, though the instincts and hands are there for him to be a competent move-the-chains target. Wells’ blocking prowess brings back memories of former Titan Craig Stevens.

JAYLEN SAMUELS /// TE16 NC State (Sr) A RB/FB/TE hybrid who can adjust to and reel in off-target throws.

He is quick and elusive after the catch, but not the type of player who runs through contact. The 5’11 ½”, 223-pound frame needs to line up in an H-back role out of the backfield, where he can be used on jet sweeps and bubble screens. He needs to curb his tendency to doublecatch the ball as well.

CAM SERIGNE /// TE17 Wake Forest (rSr) Stocky, heavy-footed weapon who runs solid routes, including the sluggo. Blessed with quick hands, Serigne is hard to bring down after the catch and will sell out for hard-to-reach offerings. He struggles mightily as a blocker due to sloppy technique and poor hand placement.

WILL DISSLY /// TE18 Washington (Sr) Seldom used in the passing game, Dissly lacks suddenness as a runner, but has fairly reliable hands as a check-down option. The converted defensive lineman makes this list because of blocking prowess, able to dominate opponents both in-line and as a move blocker in space.

He is quite raw but has some upside.

DURHAM SMYTH /// TE 19 Notre Dame (rSr) The Texas-born hoss uses his 257-pound frame and 10 ¾” hands to manhandle outside rushers when his technique and hand placement are on point. The fifth-year senior’s ability to lead and seal block can be attributed to his footwork and leverage, as evidenced by the fact that he’s generally always on his feet. As a pass catcher, Smyth is stiff with very little agility or ability to change direction, but can run basic routes.

RYAN IZZO /// TE20 Florida State (rJr) Physical blocker who mastered the art of cutting off pass rushers in pass protection, Izzo keeps his shoulders square and gets his hand inside defender when he’s in-line. His isn’t quite as flawless when he’s asked to block in space. The slow-footed three-year starter can reach back for underthrown balls as a receiver, but struggles getting in and out of his breaks.

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OT Position Analysis by:

///

"Jersey Al" Bracco

Connor Williams

///

Texas – Jr

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/// OFFENSIVE TACKLE OT1........... CONNOR

WILLIAMS Texas................................................................................ 93 OT2........... TYRELL CROSBY Oregon....................................................................................... 94 OT3........... MIKE MCGLINCHEY Notre Dame........................................................................ 95 OT4........... KOLTON MILLER UCLA.......................................................................................... 96 OT5........... JOE NOTEBOOM Texas Christian......................................................................... 96 OT6........... ORLANDO BROWN Oklahoma............................................................................ 97 OT7........... BRIAN O’NEILL Pitt.................................................................................................. 97 OT8........... MARTINAS RANKIN Mississippi State.............................................................. 98 OT9........... JAMARCO JONES Ohio State................................................................................ 98 OT10........... BRANDON PARKER North Carolina A&T.......................................................... 99 OT11........... GERON CHRISTIAN Louisville............................................................................ 99 OT12........... CHUKWUMA OKORAFOR Western Michigan........................................... 100 OT13........... DESMOND HARRISON Western Georgia...................................................... 100 OT14........... ALEX CAPPA Humboldt State................................................................................. 100 OT15........... GREG SENAT Wagner.............................................................................................. 100 OT16........... AUSTIN COOTETT Nevada................................................................................. 100 OT17........... WILL RICHARDSON NC State............................................................................ 100 OT18........... TOBY WEATHERSBY LSU................................................................................ 100 OT19........... JARYD JONES-SMITH Pitt............................................................................... 100 OT20........... NICK GATES Nebraska............................................................................................. 100 /// ADDITIONAL PLAYERS (NOT FEATURED)

OT21........... IKE

BOETTGER Iowa OT22........... COLE MADISON Washington State OT23........... ZACHARY CRABTREE Oklahoma State OT24........... MATT PRYOR TCU OT25........... BRETT TOTH Army

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HIGHLIGHTS

CONNOR WILLIAMS /// OT1 Texas (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’5” / Weight: 296 lbs. / Arms: 33" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.05 / 10-Yard Split: 1.72 NFL COMBINE / 26 Bench Reps / 34” Vertical / 112” Broad / 4.63 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.83 Three-Cone IN A NUT SHELL: There are many things Williams does well and scant few he doesn’t. In pass protection, the Texas standout delivers a strong punch and uses his hands to control his opponent. If he gets his hands into a pass rusher’s chest, they remain in his control, unable to escape his stealth holding technique, which he seems to have perfected. Williams displays good, rather than great feet and lateral movement skills. As a result, pure speed rushers can give him some problems, but he compensates with elite mirroring and positioning while showing a balanced base and strong anchor.

COLLEGE CAREER: Despite being relatively unheralded coming out of High School, Williams came to Austin and started 12 games at left tackle for the Longhorns, garnering Freshman All-American honors. His sophomore season was no less impressive, starting 11 games at left tackle and being named a Consensus All-American. What should have been an outstanding junior season got off to a slow start, as he did not appear to be his normal self before tearing his MCL and PCL in the third game. He returned for the final two regular-season games, but decided to sit out Texas’ bowl game appearance to prepare for the NFL draft.

As a run blocker, Williams lacks power at this point in his development and is best suited for a zone scheme. He excels at reach blocks and walling off defenders, showing a precise understanding of angles and attack points. He gets to the second level easily but misses too many blocks downfield, mirroring similar struggles with his cut blocks.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Williams is a 20-year-old talented ball of clay, one that offensive line coach James Campen can mold into pretty much whatever he wants (or the Packers need). With Bryan Bulaga likely to miss at least part of the 2018 season, Williams could slot in at right tackle and likely beat out Jason Spriggs for the starting position. Or, his lack of ideal tackle height and arm length could precipitate moving inside to take over Jahri Evans’ spot at right guard. While he needs to add more strength to his still very young body, his work ethic and aggressive nature might remind one of a young TJ Lang at that position.

Williams, who will be only 20 years old at the time of the draft, displays a mean streak and revels in pounding a player into the dirt. His 2016 tape (video above) looks much better than 2017, where he started only five games due to injury. Now fully healthy, a return to his 2016 form could be expected.

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HIGHLIGHTS

TYRELL CROSBY /// OT2 Oregon (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’4 1/2” / Weight: 309 lbs. / Arms: 35 1/4" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.23 / 10-Yard Split: 1.86 NFL COMBINE / 17 Bench Reps / 30” Vertical / 105” Broad / 4.77 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.89 Three-Cone

IN A NUT SHELL: Can a big, powerful, nasty offensive tackle paradoxically also be the best pulling tackle in this draft? Tyrell Crosby’s tape tells you the answer is yes. Crosby is an extremely interesting prospect and is capable of fitting in to any system. His mobility, along with his adeptness at wall and reach blocks fit nicely into a ZBS. His straight-ahead power, pulling ability and excellence at executing trap blocks match up with a power blocking scheme.

However you use him, until the whistle blows, he will be on a continual search for someone to put on the ground.

COLLEGE CAREER: Crosby came to the Ducks as the second-ranked prospect from his home state of Nevada. He saw immediate playing time as a true freshman in 2014 and started the last six games of that season. Crosby started 12 games at right tackle as a sophomore, playing 90 or more snaps seven times in the Ducks’ highpowered offense. Injuries derailed his junior season, as he saw limited snaps in only two games. He bounced back strong in 2017, being named the Pac-12 Lineman of the Year, as voted on by opposing defensive linemen.

In pass protection, Crosby shows good pad level, mirrors well and neutralizes speed rushers with a strong preemptive punch. He aggressively keeps rushers away from his body with his long arms and strong hands. Playing in Oregon’s system, he hasn’t seen a lot of straight dropback pass protection reps, so it’s no surprise that his footwork/kickslide technique needs improvement.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Plain and simple, Tyrell Crosby would likely mean the end of Bryan Bulaga’s career with the Packers. There would be no reason to bring Bulaga, with his torn ACL and $8M salary cap hit back for a ninth season. Crosby’s mobility would bring a new dimension to the Packers offensive line, allowing for more trap plays, toss plays or quick screens with Crosby leading the way. Crosby is the type of individual the Packers covet; all reports are that he is a leader on the field and in the locker room.

It’s evident on tape that Crosby competes on the field with passion and enthusiasm, like he truly loves what he’s doing.

That’s not something you often see from big-bodied offensive tackle prospects.

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HIGHLIGHTS

MIKE McGLINCHEY /// OT3 Notre Dame (rSr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’7.7” / Weight: 309 lbs. / Arms: 34" / 40-Yard Dash: DNP NFL COMBINE / 24 Bench Reps / 28.5” Vertical / 105” Broad Jump / 4.49 20-Yard Shuttle

IN A NUT SHELL: The two-time Notre Dame team captain is your prototypical “solid at everything, not great in any one area” prospect.

Technique-wise, he may be the most polished of the top tackle prospects in this draft, but certainly not the most athletic. In pass protection, his footwork and mirroring are sound, which makes up for some lack of foot speed. He could stand to use his arms/hands better, as he takes more chest punches than he delivers. He shows good recovery ability when bull rushed and good instincts for picking up stunts. Pad level is always a concern for a tall tackle; McGlinchey shows the ability to keep it at the proper level, but when he doesn’t he is susceptible to giving up QB pressures.

COLLEGE CAREER: A cousin of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, McGlinchey came to South Bend as an All-State tackle from Pennsylvania. After redshirting for a year, McGlinchey saw minor action in 2014 before manning the starting right tackle spot for all of 2015. In his third year of action, he moved over to the left tackle position and had some struggles. Pass protection was shaky at times

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and that led to too many offside penalties as he tried to gain an edge on his opponents. These issues were one factor in why he decided to come back as a fifth-year senior, working on technique and adding 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason. The extra work paid off, as McGlinchey was a different player in 2017. He was named second-team All-America and Notre Dame Offensive Lineman of the Year, an impressive honor considering he occupied the same line as Quenton Nelson.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: McGlinchey would make a fine bookend right tackle to pair with David Bakhtiari. With Bryan Bulaga still recovering from his ACL injury, he would be competing with Jason Spriggs and Kyle Murphy to open the season as the right tackle starter. If Spriggs or Murphy were to win that battle, McGlinchley would become the primary backup at both tackle spots and Murphy could be moved inside to guard (assuming Spriggs was the right tackle who won). McGlinchley may not have the foot speed to play left tackle, but could turn out to be a quasi-Jack Conklin type at right tackle. The question is, how much more improvement does he have left in him?

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/// OFFENSIVE TACKLE

KOLTON MILLER /// OT4

JOE NOTEBOOM /// OT5

Height: 6’8.5” / Weight: 309 lbs. / Arms: 34 1/8” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.91 / 10-Yard Split: 1.67

Height: 6’5” / Weight: 309 lbs. / Arms: 34 3/8" / 40-Yard Dash: 4.96 / 10-Yard Split: 1.71

UCLA (rJr)

Texas Christian (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 24 Bench Reps / 31.5” Vertical / 121” Broad / 4.49 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.34 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 27 Bench Reps / 24” Vertical / 102” Broad / 4.20 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.65 Three-Cone

IN A NUT SHELL:

IN A NUT SHELL: A three-time All-Academic Big 12 pick and three-year starter (last two at left tackle), Noteboom shows good athleticism on the field and in testing. He had the third-best 10-yard split in the 40 and the second-best 20-yard shuttle among all offensive linemen at the combine, key metrics for that position. In pass protection, his footwork is just adequate and he is not fast with his first step. That will cause him trouble with pass rushers possessing a quick get-off. Noteboom plays hard and shows above-average upper body and core strength. When he locks on, he is not easily shed. He can adapt to either a ZBS (good athlete) or power blocking scheme. Noteboom’s biggest issue is consistency in his technique. He has to make it more of an every play focus to not get drawn into freelancing. Noteboom is not dominant, but he mostly gets the job done in all phases.

Miller wins the “Best in Shorts” award for the most outstanding combine performance among this group of offensive tackles, finishing in the top five of every category. On the field, the three-year starter (two at left tackle), shows good pad level relative to his height. Miller displays power block ability, as he locks on well and finishes his blocks. He gets to the second level reasonably well, but has trouble getting to his spot for reach blocks and is not quite as agile as one would expect from his combine numbers suggest. Miller shows quick feet in pass protection but is slow to get into his slide step and his lateral movement is not the best. As a result, he may struggle with speed rushers. He shows a good punch but doesn’t keep power rushers at bay with his arms/hands quite enough.

Miller shows good awareness, picking up stunts and blitzes well. He’s a sure first-year starter as a right tackle and eventually at left tackle with a year or two of technique and strength work.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Miller would be an unusual choice for the Packers, as they have specific measurables metrics they look for in offensive linemen. The usual height range is from 6’4” - 6’6”. The only outlier in recent history was Breno Giacomini at 6’7”. That’s not to say they wouldn’t consider McGlinchey or Miller if they were the best player available, but they won’t go out of their way to draft them, either. Like McGlinchey, Miller would be best starting out as a right tackle, but has more upside for improvement and handling left tackle as well.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Noteboom has the look and feel of the type of offensive tackle the Packers like to draft and then convert to guard. His potential issues with handling speed rushers on the edge could hasten that decision and with some work in the weight room, that could be a very successful transition for the former Horned Frog. Otherwise, a jack-of-all-trades role, a la Don Barclay (but with more athleticism and ability) could be in the offing for Noteboom.

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/// OFFENSIVE TACKLE

ORLANDO BROWN /// OT6

BRIAN O’NEILL /// OT7

Oklahoma (rSr) Height: 6’7.7” / Weight: 345 lbs. / Arms: 35” / 40-Yard Dash: 5.85 / 10-Yard Split: 1.96

Pitt (rJr) Height: 6’6.7” / Weight: 297 lbs. / Arms: 34 1/8" / 40-Yard Dash: 4.80 / 10-Yard Split: 1.70

NFL COMBINE / 14 Bench Reps / 19.5” Vertical / 82” Broad / 5.38 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.87 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 22 Bench Reps / 29.5” Vertical / 107” Broad / 4.50 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.14 Three-Cone

IN A NUT SHELL: Brown moves well for such a large human being when he feels

IN A NUT SHELL: Just a few plays into film study of O’Neill, his athleticism screams out “converted tight end.” He was a close second for the “Best in Shorts” award, topping all offensive linemen at the combine in the 40 and three-cone. O’Neill currently lacks upper body strength and is easily moved around by physical defenders. He’s not going to drive block anyone, seeking only to wall and then maintain control. He gets grabby and cleverly gets away with holds when he hasn’t executed proper technique. In pass protection, O’Neill shows quick feet, but his technique is awkward at times and he is easily knocked off balance. O’Neill played both tackle spots in college and fits in a ZBS scheme only.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: O’Neill could be this year’s Jason Spriggs: a player who gets over-drafted just because teams are enamored with his athletic ability. Much like Spriggs, O’Neill would need a few years working with the Packers’ strength coaches to get him to a point where he can handle NFL defensive linemen. The bad news is it doesn’t seem to have helped Spriggs much; he’s still a major question mark. Perhaps the Packers decide O’Neill has more upside, but then again, they traded up in Round 2 to get Spriggs.

like it. He didn’t get a lot of straight drop-back experience in Oklahoma’s offense but he shows quick feet despite a choppy kickslide. Brown uses his arms and strong hands well to keep rushers under control (and avoid having to move too much) and directs them where he wants them. Easily confused by stunts and blitzes, Brown can’t seem to find the right player to block, which also applies to when he is asked to pull. Not a bender, Browns plays too high in all facets.

How much desire/motivation he has for the game is a big concern (his horrendous, unprepared combine performance adds to that concern). Brown does only what he has to, often laying off blocks too early. When motivated, however, he can easily bury opponents into the ground. Weight issues are also a big concern as his body looks like that of someone who lost a lot of weight to get down to 345. Brown is a boom or bust prospect, depending on how much he wants it.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: It would be very hard to imagine the Packers selecting a huge offensive tackle that despite some athletic ability, just could not be very effective in their zone scheme. Brown on the Packers would signal a sea change in offensive line scheme and philosophy. With old homie Joe Philbin returning to the Packers as Offensive Coordinator, and Mike McCarthy still running the show, that’s as likely as them trading a starting cornerback for Deshone Kizer. Oh wait…

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97

/// OFFENSIVE TACKLE

MARTINAS RANKIN /// OT8

JAMARCO JONES /// OT9

/ Arms: 33 3/4” / 40-Yard Dash: DNP / 10-Yard Split: n/a

Arms: 35 1/8” / 40-Yard Dash: 5.50 / 10-Yard Split: 1.95

Mississippi State (Sr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 308 lbs.

Ohio State (Sr) Height: 6’4" / Weight: 299 lbs. /

NFL COMBINE / 24 Bench Reps

NFL COMBINE / 24” Vertical / 102” Broad / 4.99 20-Yard Shuttle / 8.32 Three-Cone

IN A NUT SHELL: Originally a junior college transfer, Rankin rose to first team All-SEC status as a senior for the Bulldogs. Rankin is an above average and scheme-versatile run blocker who displays a powerful upper body but not as much leg drive as you would want. His pad level can be on the high side, but he shows decent recovery power when stood up. This results in more stalemates as opposed to moving opponents back off the line. In pass protection, he mirrors and anchors well, but his footwork and kick-slide are a bit slow, causing some difficulty keeping up with speed on the edge and inside spin moves. On the other hand, the former Bulldog looks very focused on what’s happening in front of him and detects stunts and twists comfortably.

IN A NUT SHELL: Jones does a good job blocking on the move and would fit nicely in a ZBS. He shows a good kick slide and a solid early punch, but has balance issues. If an opponent gets into his body, he can get knocked out of his anchor and has difficulty recovering.

Jones uses his hands well against edge rushers, but looks susceptible to bull rushes, speed-to-power conversions, and inside power moves. Jones gets downfield to the second level with general ease and usually connects with his target. He is effective as a run blocker, but overall, his pad level is too high on first contact with his opponent. Jones generally plays hard but sometimes does not finish to the whistle. Jones is somewhat undersized for an NFL tackle, thus he’s a prime candidate to be moved inside to guard.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Rankin has all the earmarks of a tackle the Packers could move inside to guard or even center. If they were to keep him as a tackle, the right side is likely his only spot unless he cleans up his issues with speed off the edge. After a year of on-the-job training, Rankin would be a valuable jack-of-all-trades for the Packers to have active on game days. One major positive for Rankin is that for two seasons, he went up against the best pass rushers in the best college football conference in the nation. Rookie intimidation should not be a concern.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: While Jones could be an average to above-average starting tackle with an NFL team, that team is not likely the Packers.

While Joe Noteboom would be a possible convert to guard if he doesn’t work out at tackle (as noted in his write-up), Jones would be a sure thing to be moved inside right from the start of OTAs. Jones would likely need a “redshirt” season, where he could be allowed the time to learn the nuances of his new position while hitting the weight room to add 10-15 pounds of muscle and build core strength.

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/// OFFENSIVE TACKLE

BRANDON PARKER /// OT10

North Carolina A&T (rSr) Height: 6’7.5" / Weight: 305 lbs. / Arms: 35" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.37 / 10-Yard Split: 1.83

GERON CHRISTIAN /// OT11 Louisville (Jr) Height: 6’5” / Weight: 298 lbs. /

Arms: 35" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.33 / 10-Yard Split: 1.83

NFL COMBINE / 28 1/2” Vertical / 105” Broad / 4.68 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.82 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 19 Bench Reps

IN A NUT SHELL: This four-year starter is a well-rounded scheme-versatile prospect with a slight edge towards power blocking vs. ZBS, but either way, he can execute a wide variety of blocks. When Parker latches on to his target in the run game, he is not easily dislodged, and looks to hold on until the whistle blows. His pass protection technique is solid, as he shows a plus kick-slide, and mirrors well. His best weapon is his long arms and he shows dexterity as a hand fighter, slapping hands away and throwing a solid punch. Speed pass rushers that look to avoid his hand fighting will give him the most issues as he’s not quick to change directions.

IN A NUT SHELL: Christian’s movement skills are what you would expect from a former basketball player. He flashes quick feet and shows smooth lateral movement and mirroring. Christian has the quickness to stay with speed rushers on the edge, however, his technique is lacking and his poor upper body strength allows rushers to power past him. His play style is on the soft side and he doesn’t utilize his long arms enough, as he absorbs more hits than he gives. Christian has trouble controlling rushers; they get into his body and then through him. His tape shows some questionable effort, taking plays off, and failing to finish blocks. Making matters worse, Christian is confused easily and lacks balance as spin moves leave him blocking air.

It’s obvious this isn’t natural for him yet, but Christian has the athletic ability. He is a raw prospect that needs significant time in the weight room and coaching on technique.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: This small school left tackle looks like he knows what he’s doing out there, but the jump in competition is likely too big for him to have an immediate impact. He would be a very worthy developmental pick, as the fundamentals and skill set are all there. If he could be snuck onto the Practice Squad, that would be the ideal scenario for both Parker and the Packers.

In two or three years, the Packers could have themselves an NFL-ready left tackle. Parker is a mid-to-late-round sleeper that could turn out to be a hidden gem in this draft.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Christian will likely be over-drafted as former roundballplaying offensive tackles have been a hot trend for teams hoping to find a hidden gem at the left tackle spot. If the Packers were to select Christian, it would have to be a pick for the future as he is going to need development that is unlikely to come quickly.

Practice squad would be his likely destination.

99

/// OFFENSIVE TACKLE DESMOND HARRISON /// OT13 West Georgia (rSr)

This kid can run, as his 4.90 time at the combine will attest.

Harrison is a former JuCo transfer who was suspended twice at Texas, left football for two years and re-surfaced at West Georgia. Even with his weight in the 285 range, he was a man among boys at that level of competition. Harrison offers intrigue if he can get up to an NFL tackle weight range.

ALEX CAPPA /// OT14 Humboldt State (rSr)

Cappa is an interesting small-school prospect that is scheme-versatile

and was dominant at his level of competition, where he was named Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year four times.

He’s aggressive and physical but needs a lot of work on pass protection technique. Cappa has potential for a spot as a backup swing tackle or a move inside to guard.

GREG SENAT /// OT15 Wagner (rSr)

Senat played basketball for four years at Wagner and also tried his hand at football his last two years in school. He shows the athletic ability and movement skills, as well as poor technique and the lack of strength you would expect from a recent convert to football. He’s likely a practice squad developmental prospect.

AUSTIN CORBETT /// OT16 Nevada (rSr)

CHUKWUMA OKORAFOR /// OT12 Western Michigan (rSr) Height: 6’6” / Weight: 320 lbs. / Arms: 34.5" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.31 / 10-Yard Split: 1.85 NFL COMBINE / 19 Bench Reps / 23.5” Vertical / 102” Broad / 4.80 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.14 Three-Cone IN A NUT SHELL: “Chukes,” as he is known, is a big-bodied offensive tackle that has played on both sides of the line. He is a difficult prospect to peg down. He doesn’t accomplish much as a move blocker, but he’s not a power people mover either. Despite his large frame, Okorafor doesn’t display the power on the field you might expect. He gets stood up or knocked off balance too often and is not a finisher. You’d love to see him move people out of the hole or look to finish them off, but he just doesn’t. Once he wins a stalemate, he is satisfied and stops his effort. He doesn't look to head downfield often and plays to his own whistle. In pass protection, he mirrors well with good footwork on straight ahead edge rushers but a rusher with real pass moves where he is forced to react on the fly will give him big problems.

Okorafor is easily fooled by inside moves, shows poor hand placement, and takes more punches than he gives.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: While Chukes is likely capable of being a decent starter in the NFL, he just doesn’t fit what the Packers do. When he blocks zone run set, he doesn’t consistently get in front of his target and thus doesn’t accomplish much. He likely fits a power team slightly better, but even in that scenario, he doesn’t do what would be expected: move people off the line. Okorafor is a scheme “tweener” and would have to be a major value pick for the Packers to pull the trigger on him.

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The former walk-on has one thing on his resume you rarely see: he was a four-year starter at left tackle for the Wolf Pack.

As for the NFL, it’s unlikely you’ll see him start a single game there. At 6’4” with 33 1/8” arms, he’s undersized for the position and gets by on instincts and smarts more than ability. It’s a move to guard/center for him.

WILL RICHARDSON /// OT17 NC State (rJr)

At 6’6” with 35 ¼” arms, you would expect Richardson to be better at keeping pass rushers away from his body than he is.

He’s an average athlete that could be a good NFL right tackle with some technique improvements. There are possible character concerns as he has twice been charged with DWI in his time at NC State.

TOBY WEATHERSBY /// OT18 LSU (Jr)

Combine measurements came in lower than expected as far as height (6’4”) and arm length (33 ¼”) goes. Weathersby is a big-bodied player that technically was a right tackle, but often switched sides throughout games. There is little he does that impresses you and he’s a likely convert to guard that will give you positional diversity.

JARYD JONES-SMITH /// OT19 Pitt (rSr)

Tall and long, at 6’6” and 36 ¼” arms, Jones-Smith has a history of injuries, but when healthy, has shown some traits worthwhile of further development. His pass protection skills stand out over his run blocking right now, but some lower body strength training could help him improve there. He’s a right-tackle only prospect.

NICK GATES /// OT20 Nebraska (rJr)

Gates is athletic and shows some nice pass protection footwork and mirroring, but his short 32” arms allow too many rushers into his body where they can exploit is lack of power. He likely needs some heavy work in the weight room and a move inside to guard/center to stay on an NFL roster.

100

IL

Position Analysis by:

///

Jacob Westendorf

Quenton Nelson

///

Notre Dame – Sr

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101

/// INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE IL1........... QUENTON

NELSON Notre Dame...................................................................... 103 IL2........... BILLY PRICE Ohio State............................................................................................ 104 IL3........... WILL HERNANDEZ UTEP.................................................................................. 105 IL4........... ISAIAH WYNN Georgia.......................................................................................... 106 IL5........... BRADEN SMITH Auburn...................................................................................... 106 IL6........... MASON COLE Michigan......................................................................................... 107 IL7........... JAMES DANIELS Iowa.......................................................................................... 107 IL8........... FRANK RAGNOW Arkansas............................................................................... 108 IL9........... MAEA TEUHEMA Southeastern Louisiana....................................................... 108 IL10........... KC MCDERMOTT Miami...................................................................................... 109 IL11........... SAM JONES Arizona State....................................................................................... 109 IL12........... TAYLOR HEARN Clemson...................................................................................... 110 IL13........... TIMON PARRIS Stony Brook................................................................................... 110 IL14........... WYATT TELLER Virginia Tech.............................................................................. 110 IL15........... SEAN WELSH Iowa.................................................................................................. 110 IL16........... KJ MALONE LSU........................................................................................................ 110 IL17........... TYRONE CROWDER Clemson........................................................................... 110 IL18........... WILL CLAPP LSU....................................................................................................... 110 IL19........... CODY O’CONNELL Washington State................................................................. 110 IL20........... SKYLAR PHILLIPS Idaho State............................................................................ 110

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102

HIGHLIGHTS

QUENTON NELSON /// IL1 Notre Dame (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’5” / Weight: 325 lbs. / Arms: 33 3/4" / 40-Yard Dash: DNP NFL COMBINE / 35 Bench Reps / 26.5” Vertical / 105” Broad / 4.62 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.65 Three-Cone

IN A NUT SHELL: Nelson is a mountain of a man with the ability to play any position along the interior. He does everything well from an on-field standpoint. With all due respect to last year’s top-ranked guard, Forrest Lamp, Nelson is a far superior prospect. The strength from Nelson’s game comes from his wide hips. It allows him to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage in the run game. His strength also allows him to be an anchor in pass protection. His awareness is off the charts. One of the best plays of his career came when he picked up a free rusher on the opposite side of the line. That skill set will have scouts drooling over him and wondering just when is too early to take an offensive guard. If Nelson has a weakness, in pass protection he has an occasional tendency to dip his head, and he’s had some injury concerns.

BEST GAME: MIAMI (2017) Notre Dame’s signature game this past season came against the Miami Hurricanes. It was a performance to forget for the Fighting Irish as they were blown off the field. Sometimes scouts

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learn more about a player in a blowout than they do in a big win. Nelson would fit that bill. With the lopsided score and his draft stock secured, it would have been easy for Nelson to mail it in. Instead, he was brilliant from start to finish and his motor never stopped running. It’s a trait that scouts will immediately fall in love with. The Irish may have lost, but Nelson won big that night.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Nelson is a plug-and-play starter for whatever team selects him.

If he were to fall to the Packers, he would immediately replace Jahri Evans as the starting right guard and likely be an upgrade even as a rookie. He would give the Packers a rock solid interior offensive line while teaming up with Lane Taylor and Corey Linsley. That’s not quite like when Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang were the guards, but it’s still very good. He played left tackle as a junior as well, so he could be a tackle in a pinch. In the NFL he could likely fill in anywhere along the interior or as a right tackle in emergency situations. The Packers know all too well how valuable that can be.

103

HIGHLIGHTS

BILLY PRICE /// IL2 Ohio State (rSr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’4” / Weight: 305 lbs. / Arms: 32" / 40-Yard Dash: DNP NFL COMBINE / DNP

IN A NUT SHELL: Price enters this draft as the best center prospect, with the ability to play anywhere along the interior. He continues the tradition of offensive linemen to come out of Urban Meyer’s system ready to play in the NFL. Price is a great athlete with the strength and explosion in his game to fit the modern day offense. He’s not the biggest player, but he uses leverage to his advantage. He is technically sound in the run game and able to get to the second level. He’s new school from a skill set standpoint, but old school in his attitude and edge. Price plays to the echo of the whistle. He has a nastiness that offensive line coaches will love. His weakness lies in pass protection. He has a good base and anchor, but has a tendency to lunge at his opponent, which causes him to lose battles he should win. Price partially tore his pectoral muscle at the combine and had surgery in March. That could hurt his draft stock and knock him out of the first round.

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BEST GAME: MICHIGAN (2017) One of Price’s best games this year came against the Buckeyes chief rival, the Michigan Wolverines. This was an important game for Price because he would be playing against another big-time draft prospect in Maurice Hurst Jr. This matchup was a heavyweight fight. They weren’t always matched up together, but when they were it was must-see TV. Hurst was one of the top contenders for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Price more than held his own against a disruptive force. His blocking was part of a big final drive that closed out the Wolverines.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Price would have to change positions if he were drafted by the Packers. Corey Linsley is the center of the future and Green Bay made that clear with the extension they gave him just before the 2017 season ended. Price is capable of playing guard, and would replace Jahri Evans on the right side. He’s a great athlete that would immediately help the Packers’ screen game which was woeful last season. He would be capable of playing center should Linsley suffer an injury. It’s possible he could play tackle, but he never played there in college.

104

HIGHLIGHTS

WILL HERNANDEZ /// IL3 UTEP (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’2” / Weight: 327 lbs. / Arms: 32" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.15 NFL COMBINE / 37 Bench Reps / 24” Vertical / 104” Broad / 4.7 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.59 Three-Cone

IN A NUT SHELL: Hernandez’s size will jump off the charts immediately. He’s an old-school guard: a mauler in the run game and able to take away the will of his opponents as the game progresses. He has good footwork, working in concert with his hands. He has vice grips for hands. Once his hands are latched onto an opponent, they are not getting away. He occasionally loses position because of his demeanor post-snap. Instead of getting into his set he has a tendency to hop. That will cause him to lose leverage at the next level until it is coached out of him. Overall, Hernandez is a very good prospect that should be capable of playing on the left or right side. He’s one of the more decorated offensive linemen in the history of his school. His strength and ability to sustain blocks will get him the recognition he deserves.

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COLLEGE CAREER: It’s rare that a young man is able to start all four years in college.

Typically players need a year to get accustomed to the college game and build up their strength. That’s especially true along the offensive line. Hernandez was not one of those players. He jumped in and was immediately entrenched as a starter at left guard. UTEP’s coaching staff knew for the next four years, they were in good hands. Hernandez was the rare four-year starter on the offensive line. Hernandez’s consistency and work ethic got him to that spot, and ultimately kept him there for four years.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hernandez is a big-bodied guard that would give the Packers another mauler in the run game. He is built similarly to Lane Taylor in that regard. That size allows him to play strictly on the interior. He would be able to play either guard spot. It’s unlikely he could play tackle. With him being shorter than desired for a guard he makes for an interesting project at center.

He could play immediately, which makes him a fit considering the Packers are looking at a long-term solution at that position.

Hernandez would provide an answer both now and in the future.

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/// INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

ISAIAH WYNN /// IL4

BRADEN SMITH /// IL5

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 313 lbs. / Arms: 33 3/8” / 40-Yard Dash: DNP

Height: 6’6” / Weight: 315 lbs. / Arms: 32 1/4" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.22

Georgia (Sr)

Auburn (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / DNP

NFL COMBINE / 35 Bench Reps / 33.5” Vertical / 113” Broad / 4.47 20-Yard Shuttle

IN A NUT SHELL: Wynn is a college tackle that projects more as a guard in the NFL because of his size. He’s big up top, but all of his body is packed into a frame a shade under 6’3’’. That size means he’s not tall enough to play tackle in the NFL (and potentially not tall enough for the Packers period). Wynn has good quickness out of his stance that will allow him to get to the second level on running plays.

His athleticism makes him a good guard prospect in a league that is trending more toward athletic offensive linemen. He’ll need to work in an NFL weight room to get his play strength up to par.

IN A NUT SHELL: Smith’s strength immediately jumps off his game tape. He’s a strong player with solid athleticism. He projects best as a guard in the NFL because of his drive blocking. Smith’s toughness and durability will cause NFL coaches to fall in love with him.

He started 41 consecutive games by the end of his Auburn career. He’ll need to work on eye discipline as Smith is late to react to stunts and twists. He’s not as athletic as some teams would like either. That could cause some issues with what plays coaches can call with him on the field.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: The Packers love positional versatility with their offensive linemen; Ted Thompson almost exclusively took college tackles and made them into guards. If Thompson’s successor, Brian Gutekunst was to take Wynn, it would just be adding to the tradition. Wynn’s quickness will allow him to play either guard spot and potentially at right tackle if the team were in a bind.

Wynn may not be ready immediately to be a plug-and-play starter, but he would add to the competition to open the season.

He will make up for his lack of play strength with sound technique and determination to win his blocks.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Smith has the ability as a drive blocker to be an immediate fit in the run game. Durability always appears to be an issue for the Packers. Smith’s prowess staying on the field would be a welcome sight for a team that could use his durability. He would be in direct competition with Justin McCray and other roster holdovers to be the starting right guard. His lack of athleticism and rumbling tendencies could make him a liability in the screen game. Smith could get by on play strength alone, but it’s unlikely he’d be a good option to start the first game of the 2018 season.

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106

/// INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

MASON COLE /// IL6

JAMES DANIELS /// IL7

Arms: 32 1/8” / 40-Yard Dash: 5.23

40-Yard Dash: DNP

Michigan (Sr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 307 lbs. /

Iowa (Jr) Height: 6’3” / Weight: 306 lbs. / Arms: 33 3/4" /

NFL COMBINE / 23 Bench Reps / 23.5” Vertical / 104” Broad / 4.78 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.77 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 21 Bench Reps / 30.5” Vertical / 108” Broad / 4.4 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.29 Three-Cone

IN A NUT SHELL: Cole was a walking musical chair at Michigan. He bounced between left tackle and the interior throughout his four years in college. In that time he never missed a start. Cole is a smart player and one of Jim Harbaugh’s favorite players. He’s a good athlete capable of lead blocking and pulling on either side of the offensive line. Cole could use some work in the weight room to play on the interior at the next level and has a tendency to lunge at his defenders in pass protection. He’s capable of playing center or either guard spot.

IN A NUT SHELL: Daniels is a fluid athlete with good flexibility for his position.

He has the ability to get his hands engaged and move well to the second level of a defense. He fits a modern day offense well from that standpoint despite playing at a throwback program like Iowa. Daniels is solid in his pass sets and rarely caught leaning or lunging at his defender. His biggest issue to improve on in the NFL will be his strength. He’ll need to spend an offseason in the weight room to get strong enough to play at the next level.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Cole is smart enough to pick up a playbook and start immediately.

He would be immediate insurance for Corey Linsley at center.

He’s capable of playing both guard spots. He has experience at left tackle, but probably should only play there in case of emergency. His best position in the NFL is probably center.

That makes an immediate fit for the Packers difficult to see with Linsley entrenched as the long-term option. He would have to be able to play either guard spot in order to get on the field in Green Bay.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Daniels’ athleticism helps him fit the Packers’ zone blocking scheme very well. He’ll be able to help immediately as a run blocker and in the screen game. His lack of strength can likely be overshadowed because of the scheme the Packers employ and its similarities to the one they used at Iowa. He won’t be required to drive anyone off the ball as he would in a traditional power scheme. Daniels could step in as the right guard. He’d be immediate insurance to both Lane Taylor and Corey Linsley as well. He should not be asked to play tackle.

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/// INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

FRANK RAGNOW /// IL8

MAEA TEUHEMA /// IL9

Arkansas (Sr) Height: 6’5” / Weight: 312 lbs. / Arms: 33 1/8" / 40-Yard Dash: DNP

Southeastern Louisiana (Jr) Height: 6'5” / Weight: 315 lbs. / Arms: n/a / 40-Yard Dash: DNP

NFL COMBINE / 26 Bench Reps

NFL COMBINE / DNP

IN A NUT SHELL: Ragnow is a throwback powerful offensive linemen out of Arkansas. Wisconsin Badgers’ fans will not be surprised by that considering he was recruited by former Badgers coach Bret Bielema. He wins his blocks with a good first step and lets his strength take over from there. Often times opponents can get worn down by Ragnow as the game progresses. Ragnow’s struggle in the NFL will be his tendency to lumber a bit in space. He’s not a fluid athlete. He also has a tendency to struggle against stunts by the defensive line.

IN A NUT SHELL: Teuhema has taken an interesting path to the NFL. He began his career at LSU and started 11 games as a true freshman. He was a versatile piece along the Tigers offensive line, starting at guard and right tackle. The future looked bright until he was suspended indefinitely going into his junior season before transferring to Southeastern Louisiana. Teuhema is a powerful player capable of drive blocking his opponents. He struggles with dipping his head in pass protection and is prone to lunging at his opponent.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Ragnow would give the Packers a powerful player to excel in their running game. The Packers were more committed to the run with Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones last season. Ragnow would give them somebody that can drive holes open in the run game. He’s a little tall to play center, but has experience there. He likely fits the NFL best as a guard. He is not an NFL ready starter at this point. He would have to refine his skills in the offseason before entering a competition with Justin McCray and the other remaining players from 2017.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Teuhema is an interesting case because he may get flagged for character issues considering he had to transfer from a big program to a smaller one for off-the-field issues. If he’s on the Packers’ board, he fits their bill with positional versatility with experience at tackle. The Packers love moving tackles inside once they get into their program. Teuhema would be capable of playing any position on the interior, and potentially an emergency fit at tackle. He would have to improve his pass protection to be a viable long-term option as a right tackle.

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/// INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

KC McDERMOTT /// IL10

Miami (Sr) Height: 6’5" / Weight: 316 lbs. / Arms: 32.5" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.31

SAM JONES /// IL11

Arizona State (rJr) Height: 6’5” / Weight: 305 lbs. / Arms: 31" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.32

NFL COMBINE / 26 Bench Reps / 23.5” Vertical / 97” Broad / 4.82 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.72 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 28 Bench Reps / 27” Vertical / 101” Broad / 4.86 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.92 Three-Cone

IN A NUT SHELL: McDermott comes from a football family. He’s one of three men from his family to play at the collegiate level. His brother Shane was a center for Miami and his other brother Tyler played at Colorado State. McDermott is hoping to become the most wellknown of those three. He enters this draft with very strong hands. Usually when he gets his hands on a defender, they are unable to shake free from his grasp. He’s quick enough to get to the second level on blocks. McDermott may struggle at times in pass protection because of poor technique and recognition.

IN A NUT SHELL: The first thing that jumps out about Jones is his quickness.

He’s got a really good first step off the ball. He’s able to engage defenders and keep them in his grasp that way. A majority of the reps he wins are because of his ability to get off the ball quicker than the guy across from him. Apart from that, he’s a good athlete in space. He does a good job of getting his hands on linebackers. Jones struggles with strength at the moment and will need some time in the weight room to fix some of those issues.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: McDermott played tackle in college, but will likely kick inside to guard at the professional level. His positional versatility fits the Packers’ mold they previously used with guys like Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang, a history that has served them well in the past. McDermott needs help with his technique in pass protection, but the Packers have one of the best offensive line coaches in football in James Campen, who could immediately fix some of his issues. His athleticism would be a welcome addition to the screen game. He likely could play center or right tackle in a pinch as well.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Jones would be a really good fit for the zone running scheme the Packers utilize in this offense. His athleticism and quickness help make up for his lack of play strength. His strength is an issue, but not a large one because the Packers don’t rely on their guards to bully opposing defensive linemen. Jones would be a fit on the 2018 roster in what JC Tretter’s role used to be.

Jones could fill in capably at any of the interior spots. He could potentially challenge the incumbents for a shot to be the starting right guard should Jahri Evans not return.

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/// INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE TIMON PARRIS /// IL13 Stony Brook (Sr) Parris is a technician with his footwork and as a result, is rarely caught out of position. He has good reaction time and awareness.

Parris’ struggles begin when he starts catching blocks. He has a tendency to allow defenders to get into his chest. If he improved his hand placement, it would keep guys off him and make him a more effective blocker overall.

WYATT TELLER /// IL14 Virginia Tech (rSr) Teller is an interesting story because he started his career at Virginia Tech on defense. He was Defensive Player of the Year for the Hokies before moving to offensive tackle. His background on defense gives him good ability with his hands. He struggles to block in space and stay engaged with linebackers.

SEAN WELSH /// IL15 Iowa (Sr) Welsh is small for interior line standards, so he has to win with quickness. His initial quickness off the ball helps him win a majority of his reps. He’s better in pass protection than he is as a run blocker because he’s a technician with his hands.

TAYLOR HEARN /// IL12

Clemson (rJr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 320 lbs. / Arms: n/a / 40-Yard Dash: 5.45 NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / 24” Vertical / 96” Broad / 4.8 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.87 Three-Cone

IN A NUT SHELL: Hearn has been part of some of the most prolific offenses in recent memory. He was a bit of a forgotten man with teammates Mitch Hyatt and Tyrone Crowder receiving the majority of the accolades. Hearn is a good player in his own right with initial power that jumps off the screen. He does a good job winning early in his reps, while showing the ability to help on twists and stunts when he doesn’t have an initial matchup. He’s an old-school mauler at the guard position. He struggles with moving in space and getting to the second level because his athleticism leaves something to be desired.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hearn would be able to step in and give the Packers someone to use in their short-yardage package. His ability to win early in a rep is something that they could use in that department.

Ideally, he would be a lead blocker for Jamaal Williams on those type of plays. Hearn’s lack of athleticism and ability to block in space likely makes him strictly a guard. He’s a project player at this point. For Hearn to be successful long-term, he should be given ample time to develop.

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KJ MALONE /// IL16 LSU (Sr) Malone is no stranger to the spotlight. He’s the son of former Utah Jazz great Karl Malone. He’s built like his father as well with broad shoulders and good core strength. He’ll benefit from moving inside to guard. His footwork is sloppy and leaves him vulnerable to quicker defensive linemen.

TYRONE CROWDER /// IL17 Clemson (Sr) Crowder is a massive man that excels primarily as a run blocker. He’s good as a drive-blocking guard and excels in short areas of the field.

His athleticism and quickness leave some to be desired at this stage of his career.

WILL CLAPP /// IL18 LSU (Jr) Clapp is best suited as a pass blocker on the interior. He has strong hands that latch onto defenders. His awareness is impressive. Rarely will he be beaten on a blown assignment. He’s a little stiff on the second level and struggles with quickness at times.

CODY O’CONNELL /// IL19 Washington State (Sr) O’connell is a bulldozer in the run game. He’s capable of getting his hands on defenders and driving them into submission. His athleticism just isn’t very good. He occasionally looks like he’s lumbering to the second level. He’s much better as a straight-line run blocker than a pass blocker at this stage of his career.

SKYLAR PHILLIPS /// IL20 Idaho State (Sr) Phillips is a powerful blocker that played tackle in college. He’ll likely move inside to guard in the NFL. He is strong in the run game, but struggles with catching his opponents too often in his pass sets. He has a history with concussions that could give teams some pause.

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/// Washington – rJr

///

DL

Vita Vea

Position Analysis by:

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/// DEFENSIVE LINE DL1........... VITA

VEA Washington................................................................................................. 113 DL2........... MAURICE HURST, JR Michigan.........................................................................114 DL3........... DA’RON PAYNE Alabama........................................................................................115 DL4........... TAVEN BRYAN Florida.............................................................................................116 DL5........... HARRISON PHILLIPS Stanford..........................................................................116 DL6........... RJ MCINTOSH Florida............................................................................................... 117 DL7........... TIM SETTLE Virginia Tech........................................................................................ 117 DL8........... DERRICK NNADI Florida State.............................................................................. 118 DL9........... NATHAN SHEPHERD Fort Hays State.............................................................. 118 DL10........... RASHEEM GREEN USC.........................................................................................119 DL11........... BJ HILL NC State..............................................................................................................119 DL12........... DA’SHAWN HAND Alabama.............................................................................. 120 DL13........... BREELAND SPEAKS Mississippi..................................................................... 120 DL14........... DEADRIN SENAT Southern Florida.................................................................... 120 DL15........... ANDREW BROWN Virigina................................................................................ 120 DL16........... FOLORUNSO FATUKASI Connecticut.......................................................... 120 DL17........... TRENTON THOMPSON Georgia.................................................................... 120 DL18........... PJ HALL Sam Houston State........................................................................................ 120 DL19........... KENDRICK NORTON Miami............................................................................. 120 DL20........... LOWELL LOTULELEI Utah............................................................................... 120 /// ADDITIONAL PLAYERS (NOT FEATURED)

DL21........... KAHLIL

MCKENZIE, JR Tennessee DL22........... POONA FORD Texas DL23........... JUSTIN JONES NC State DL24........... JAMES LOONEY Cal DL25........... BILAL NICHOLS Delaware

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HIGHLIGHTS

VITA VEA /// DL1 Washington (rJr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’4” / Weight: 344 lbs. / Arms: 32 5/8" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.10 NFL COMBINE / 41 Bench Reps / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / 44 Tackles / 5.5 TFL / 3.5 Sacks / 4 Passes Defended IN A NUT SHELL: Vea is the prototypical dancing bear defensive tackle. Vea has other-worldly upper body strength and displays the ability to ragdoll opposing linemen. He is a mountain to move in the run game and maybe his most unique trait is that Washington actually lined him up as an edge rusher on pass downs to generate pressure on the quarterback. Vea will show off a Reggie White hump move and even a sneaky arm over.

While Vea does possess some truly incredible features, he also has a tall, thick build, creating a large surface area for NFL linemen to get their hands on and control. Vea lacks change of direction ability (understandably) and is on the ground way too often. He will rely heavily on his upper body strength and needs to do a better job of using his legs. While Vea has some inefficiencies, he makes up for it with his rare strength and agility and will make opposing linemen work incredibly hard for an entire game.

NFL COMPARISONS: Ever since the Baltimore Ravens drafted Haloti Ngata with the 12th pick in 2006, every NFL team has tried to find the next version of the five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle. Teams were

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able to see how Ngata not only controlled the run game at 6’4” 345 pounds, but also affected the passing game and made the linebackers behind him better. Since then players like Phil Taylor (6’3”, 335), Danny Shelton (6’2”, 335), and Dontari Poe (6’3”, 346) were all supposed to be the next Ngata. None have been successful. Now, Vea will be added to the list of recent first round picks trying to crawl out from behind Ngata’s immense shadow. Time will tell if the Vea will live up to the billing, or simply follow the path of Shelton, Taylor and Poe. FIT WITH THE PACKERS: With the presence of Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, and last year’s third round pick Montravius Adams, it’s tough to imagine Green Bay picking a nose tackle at pick 14. It’s also worth noting that there’s no guarantee that Vea would even be available when Green Bay selects at 14. If for some reason Green Bay does pull the trigger they would have the most dominant three-man line in football with Vea, Clark, Daniels and Wilkerson. Unfortunately, the NFL as a whole rarely plays base defense so that line would only see the light of day about 15-20% of defensive snaps. Vea would provide excellent depth and insurance but Green Bay would be wise to use their top pick on more barren areas of the roster.

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HIGHLIGHTS

MAURICE HURST, JR /// DL2 Michigan (rSr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’2” / Weight: 280 lbs. / Arms: n/a / 40-Yard Dash: n/a NFL COMBINE / DNP 2017 STATS / 59 Tackles / 13 TFL / 1 FF / 1 Pass Defended IN A NUT SHELL: Hurst left the NFL combine with what doctors were calling an irregular EKG test. Due to the test, Hurst was unable to participate and was set to be further examined at the University of Michigan.

While Hurst’s medical condition will go a long way in determining his final draft positioning, Hurst is an undeniably talented athlete whose first step is as good as any defensive tackle not named Aaron Donald.

Hurst is just beginning to come to grips with his talent as a pass rusher as he’s already a force to be reckoned with without a full array of pass rush moves in his arsenal. For only weighing 280 pounds and being more of a penetrating linemen, he really holds up well at the point of attack. He currently has no idea what to do if he doesn’t win initially and will need to develop in that regards. His hand usage is below average and he needs to do a better job disengaging from crafty offensive lineman.

Hurst has NFL bloodlines and if his medical exams check out he’ll quickly get picked up in the first 20 picks of the draft.

BEST GAME: WISCONSIN (2017) Anytime a top defensive line prospect has a game against Wisconsin it’s worth throwing on the tape. Wisconsin’s size

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and strength on the offensive line give even the best defensive linemen trouble. That said, Hurst had arguably his best game of the year against the Badgers. Hurst was consistently penetrating and destroying running lanes and ended the day with six tackles, one for a loss, and was credited with a half sack. Hurst was one of the main reasons that Wisconsin’s offense managed only 143 yards passing on the day. His success against Wisconsin shows he can hold up against larger, NFL style offensive linemen.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: While Hurst is two inches taller and almost 30 pounds lighter than Mike Daniels, there are some true similarities to their playing style. Both are quick off the ball, can penetrate and shoot through gaps, and play with incredible leverage. Both also hold up very well in the run game. Should Green Bay select Hurst he would help make Green Bay’s front a lethal rotation including the likes of Daniels, Clark, Wilkerson, Lowry and Hurst. Clark and Daniels both wore down throughout the season with how much they were asked to do and adding a player like Hurst would not only lighten their load, it would allow all players to stay rested and perform at peak levels.

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HIGHLIGHTS

DA’RON PAYNE /// DL3 Alabama (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’2” / Weight: 308 lbs. / Arms: 33" / 40-Yard Dash: 4.95 NFL COMBINE / 27 Bench Reps / 28.5” Vertical / 107” Broad / 4.71 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.58 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 53 Tackles / 1 Sack / 1 INT / 3 Passes Defended IN A NUT SHELL: Payne isn’t the dominant run stuffer that Vea is, or the penetrating pass rusher that Hurst is, but Payne shows capability in both areas. Payne is both the youngest of the top defensive linemen in the class and also the safest pick of the group. Payne’s strengths include his balance, hand usage, and his quick first step. Where Payne excels is in the run game. He’s incredibly difficult to move and Payne can hold his ground using his long arms to hold off linemen before quickly disengaging. Payne shows high football intelligence and is quick to react to screens and misdirection.

Payne didn’t always play up to his talent and his production was disappointing. Payne will give ground against double teams and really needs to stay lower to the ground. It’s worth noting that Payne wasn’t asked to be a playmaker at Alabama; rather his role was to contain and make the players around him better.

It wouldn’t be surprising in any way to see Payne become a much better pro than he was a college player which is why Payne will likely be taken in the first round of the draft.

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2017 POSTSEASON: Payne really started to show exactly what he was capable of at the end of the 2017 season. Against Clemson, Payne not only had an interception, but also caught a touchdown pass on offense. Against Georgia, Payne had his most dominant performance, absolutely controlling the middle of the field from start to finish totaling six tackles in the game. As mentioned above, Payne’s production wasn’t always where it could have been, but in the postseason Payne displayed exactly the player that he can become at the next level.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Da’Ron Payne’s overall game is very reminiscent of Kenny Clark’s. Neither are flashy players who stuff the stat sheet but each does the grunt work, have incredible technique, and make the players around them better. Payne, Clark and Daniels could be overkill and Green Bay certainly has bigger needs at pick 14. Be that as it may, should Payne somehow slip to Green Bay at pick 45, Green Bay would be wise not to look a gift horse in the mouth.

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/// DEFENSIVE LINE

TAVEN BRYAN /// DL4

HARRISON PHILLIPS /// DL5

Arms: 32 3/4” / 40-Yard Dash: 4.98

Arms: 33 7/8" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.21

Florida (rJr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 295 lbs. /

Stanford (rJr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 295 lbs. /

NFL COMBINE / 30 Bench Reps / 35” Vertical / 119” Broad / 4.48 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.12 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 42 Bench Reps / 32” Vertical / 103” Broad / 4.50 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.28 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 40 Tackles / 6 TFL / 4 Sacks

2017 STATS / 103 Tackles / 17 TFL / 7.5 Sacks / 2 FF

IN A NUT SHELL:

IN A NUT SHELL:

There isn’t a lineman on this list that possess the incredible upside of Taven Bryan. He has been compared to J.J. Watt for his ability to explode off the ball and create havoc behind the line of scrimmage.

Bryan displays a lightning-fast first step and absolutely explodes upfield. He is quick enough to chase plays down from behind and can put incredible pressure on less athletic guards.

The über-strong, ultra-active Phillips, who had a ridiculous 103 tackles as a defensive tackle in 2017, is on the verge of working his way into first round consideration across the league. Phillips’ wrestling background helps him play with incredible leverage and Phillips consistently plays low and with strong pad level. Phillips has a lunchpail mentality and keeps working through the whistle. It’s difficult to move Phillips off his spot and he plays with violent hands that keep opposing linemen at bay. Phillips displays a strong anchor with a low center of gravity. Phillips is going to be best on early downs and won’t make a huge impact in the passing game because he simply doesn’t have an arsenal of pass rush moves. His 42 bench reps show his outstanding strength and it translates on the field.

The downside with Bryan is that he lacks instincts, plays to be the hero, and lacks consistent effort. Bryan will run himself out of plays and is susceptible to screens, draws, and traps. He’s on the ground far too often and plays upright causing him to be moved off his spot.

Bryan has poor eye discipline and will often give up if his first move doesn’t work. The upside is tremendous but there is plenty of concerning tape.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Bryan has the type of upside to be the type of player a team drafts first and figures out fit later. If a team falls in love with Bryan’s upside they will be happy to take him and figure out the logistics at another time. For Green Bay, he would surely come in on obvious pass downs to begin with and be asked to wreak havoc regardless of where he’s placed. He can either penetrate from the inside or pressure tackles with his strength and athleticism. Green Bay could use more freak athletes to put pressure on opposing offenses and Bryan fits the bill … just not at No. 14 overall.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Any combination of Phillips, Daniels, Wilkerson and Clark on the interior of the Packers defense would be tough to manage for opposing offenses. Phillips could learn quickly from Daniels, who also has a strong wrestling background. Phillips would also provide great insurance for Green Bay on the inside should either Clark or Daniels suffer an injury. Phillips may not be the splash pick fans want early in the second round, but he’d be a safe, reliable pick, and a heavy favorite to land a second contract with the team.

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/// DEFENSIVE LINE

RJ McINTOSH /// DL6

TIM SETTLE /// DL7

Height: 6’4" / Weight: 293 lbs.

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 335 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 5.37

Miami (Jr)

NFL COMBINE / DNP 2017 STATS / 52 Tackles / 12.5 TFL / 2.5 Sacks / 7 Passes Defended / 1 FF IN A NUT SHELL: The first thing that absolutely jumps off the tape with McIntosh is his quickness and athletic ability. McIntosh pairs a quick first step with above-average acceleration to make him an ideal gap penetrating defensive linemen. While a gap-penetrating system may work best for McIntosh, he also would fit well as a base 3-4 end who can hold up at the point of attack. That type of versatility is what makes him special. To aid in McIntosh’s pass rush, he displays a nice arm-over move, as well as a spin move to counter. McIntosh does disappear for stretches and his height causes him to play too upright, giving offensive linemen more surface area to hit. Additional time spent on technique and in the weight room could propel him to be an above-average starter in year two.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: McIntosh’s versatility makes him desirable to just about every team in the league. In Green Bay he could play base end if Green Bay stays in their traditional 3-4 alignment and regardless of scheme will be able to move inside on passing downs. McIntosh has some similarities to Datone Jones both in size and play style, which could scare the Packers away (or be evidence he fits a desirable mold). McIntosh plays much more explosive and has a higher ceiling than Datone, however, making him worth pursuing should he fall to Green Bay.

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Virginia Tech (rSo)

NFL COMBINE / 23.5” Vertical / 96” Broad / 4.83 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.95 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 36 Tackles / 12.5 TFL / 4 Sacks / 1 Pass Defended / 1 Blocked Kick IN A NUT SHELL: Settle is a rare physical specimen and very few human beings can move at 335 the way he does. Settle possesses a first step that simply shouldn’t exist for a man of his stature. Settle mixes powerful hands with a strong upper body and somehow is capable of exploding to the football when needed. He is able to split double teams and really works hard, remaining active even when he’s facing consistent double teams. Settle leans too often and has lapses where he loses track of his gap responsibilities. He also needs to do a much better job of keeping his eyes up and in the backfield. Settle understandably loses his balance from time to time; regardless he’s a rare athlete who is near impossible to move in the run game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Settle would give Green Bay a weapon that they don’t currently possess; a 330+ pound defensive linemen to absolutely clog up the middle and eat blocks. Settle can be a weapon in goal line and short-yardage situations. While Settle is still incredibly raw, coming out too early as a redshirt sophomore, he’s still talented enough to help the Packers from Day 1. He’s not going to make much of an impact on pass defense, but his run-stuffing prowess is still worth considering on Day 2 of the draft.

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DERRICK NNADI /// DL8

Florida State (Sr) Height: 6’1" / Weight: 312 lbs. / Arms: n/a / 40-Yard Dash: 5.38

NATHAN SHEPHERD /// DL9

Fort Hays St. (Sr) Height: 6’5” / Weight: 300 lbs. / Arms: 32 3/8" / 40-Yard Dash: 5.09

NFL COMBINE / 25 Bench Reps / 27” Vertical / 96” Broad / 5.02 20-Yard Shuttle / 8.15 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 31” Vertical / 112” Broad / 4.53 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.50 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 53 Tackles / 10 TFL / 3.5 Sacks / 1 Pass Defended / 1 FF

2017 STATS / 38 Tackles / 12.5 TFL / 4 Sacks

IN A NUT SHELL: Derrick Nnadi is going to be a polarizing figure in draft rooms because his tape far outperforms his athletic ability and his combine performance left a lot to be desired. Nnadi is on the shorter side but plays low to the ground with a low center of gravity. Nnadi is more slippery than he looks and when he’s playing with leverage and strong pad level he’s an absolute monster in the run game. Nnadi is going to primarily be a twodown player in the NFL but his ability to collapse a pocket gives him a chance to play on pass downs. His motor runs hot and cold and his complete lack of explosion hurts his overall value.

A team that sees him as a three-down player will jump on him during Day 2 of the draft.

IN A NUT SHELL: Shepherd is a small-school prospect who is rapidly shooting up draft boards after his impressive performance at the NFL combine. The Fort Hays State star stands out even in a crowd of NFL lineman for his physique and imposing figure. At 6’5”, 315 pounds, Shepherd looks exactly like an NFL down linemen is supposed to. More importantly, Shepherd shows up on the game film, constantly hustling and chasing down plays. Shepherd shows the ability to win with leverage and has above average bend and change of direction for his size.

Shepherd needs to develop a go-to move, either an arm-over or a push-pull to really be a threat as a pass rusher; but his agility and effort will give him every opportunity to succeed.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Similar to Vea and Settle, Nnadi would give the Packers a true run-stuffing nose tackle along the defensive line. While Kenny Clark is more than capable of being an alpha run-stuffer, Nnadi could be used as a run specialist and allow Clark to play more on third downs alongside Mike Daniels. Nnadi is talented enough to make an impact from day one on early downs and help control the line of scrimmage. His presence would make Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan’s jobs easier.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Shepherd has some scheme versatility but what would make him so attractive to the Packers is that he wouldn’t be asked to contribute immediately. Green Bay is set with Daniels, Clark, Wilkerson and Lowry as their go-to down linemen and have even started developing depth with Montravius Adams.

Shepherd is likely a year away from being able to play consistently at the next level, so the ability to buy him time and develop him behind two Pro-Bowl caliber players is very appealing.

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/// DEFENSIVE LINE

RASHEEM GREEN /// DL10

USC (Jr) Height: 6’4" / Weight: 275 lbs. / Arms: 33 3/4" / 40-Yard Dash: 4.73

BJ HILL /// DL11

NC State (Sr) Height: 6’4” / Weight: 315 lbs. / Arms: n/a / 40-Yard Dash: 4.99

NFL COMBINE / 32.5” Vertical / 118” Broad / 4.39 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.24 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 35 Bench Reps / 26.5” Vertical / 101” Broad / 4.53 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.28 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 43 Tackles / 12.5 TFL / 10 Sacks / 4 Passes Defended / 1 FF

2017 STATS / 57 Tackles / 5.5 TFL / 3 Sacks / 3 Passes Defended / 1 FF / 1 Blocked Kick

IN A NUT SHELL: Rasheem Green is a prime example of the old scouting adage, traits over tape. Green possesses unique athletic ability and tested out above average in just about every combine category.

It’s not that Green doesn’t have plays on tape that were impressive, his 16.5 sacks over the past two seasons are evidence enough of that. However, Green is wildly inconsistent, has poor instincts, and really struggles to hold up at the point of attack. Where Green wins is, unsurprisingly, with his athletic ability. Green’s quick first step and agility give him the ability to blow past linemen and quickly get to the quarterback. Green should have stayed in school and honed his technique. When he plays with sound fundamentals he’s an absolute handful for opposing linemen.

IN A NUT SHELL: B.J. Hill had a really nice NFL combine, posting a sub 5.0, 40-yard dash at 315 pounds. He also put up 35 reps on the bench and overall had an athletic profile that graded out very well for the next level. The former high school running back has quick hands and is excellent at recovering when he gets beat. Hill isn’t a playmaker and he lacks a robust pass rush repertoire to generate consistent pass rush. That said, Hill has a quick first step and has had success with an arm over move. His tape and productivity don’t match his athletic profile yet, but there’s enough effort on tape to go along with his athletic profile to make him an intriguing option in the middle of the draft.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Of all the linemen on this list, Green is the least likely fit in Green Bay. At the end of the day, Green is absolutely best suited for a 4-3 alignment. Green should start out early in his career as a 4-3 end since he simply doesn’t have the ability to hold up inside. As he develops his musculature and technique he should move inside as a 3-technique and use his quickness and acceleration to disrupt from the inside. That said, teams can always use pass rushers and Mike Pettine would undoubtedly find unique ways to use Green’s athletic ability.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hill’s athletic profile isn’t that dissimilar to former first-round pick Kenny Clark. Clark had a slightly better vertical but Hill actually outperformed Clark in the 40, the shuttle, and on the bench. Hill would come in as an understudy and primary backup to Clark. As a rotational lineman, Hill should be able to hold his own and not look out of place at the NFL level. He would battle Montravius Adams for the right to be active on Sundays and would need to excel on run downs early in his career to earn additional playing time.

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/// DEFENSIVE LINE BREELAND SPEAKS /// DL13 Mississippi (rJr)

Speaks is an intriguing prospect who has raw talent but needs refinement. Speaks is guilty of playing too high and with very poor technique. His pad level needs work and if he can’t immediately hit a gap he lacks a secondary plan of attack. His versatility, agility, and balance give him a chance to succeed with the right coaching.

DEADRIN SENAT /// DL14 Southern Florida (rSr)

Deadrin Senat is a stout defensive tackle who plays with a low center of gravity. His compact build makes him tough to move and he really holds up well at the point of attack. Senat is a hard-working defensive lineman who will outplay his athletic profile. He shows agility, hustle, a strong anchor, and will be a fan favorite wherever he is drafted.

ANDREW BROWN /// DL15 Virginia (Sr)

DA’SHAWN HAND /// DL12 Alabama (Sr) Height: 6’4" / Weight: 288 lbs. / Arms: 34 3/8" / 40-Yard Dash: 4.83

NFL COMBINE / 28 Bench Reps / 31.5” Vertical / 111” Broad / 4.62 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.98 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 27 Tackles / 3.5 TFL / 3 Sacks / 1 Pass Defended IN A NUT SHELL: Da’Shawn Hand was a top-rated recruit out of high school who played within the confines of a heavy rotation for Alabama.

Hand was used all over the line, as well as standing up as an outside linebacker. Hand possesses a push-pull move and is able to use his strong hands and long arms to stack and disengage from offensive linemen. Hand also has the ability to hold up against double teams in the run game but lacks the overall explosiveness and change of direction ability to be a consistent threat as a rusher. Hand will be best used as a 4-3 defensive end who could move inside to rush on pass downs.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hand should fit in nicely with new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine who will likely be more scheme versatile than his predecessor. Pettine would surely like that fact that Hand has the ability to play both standing up and with his hand in the ground. Hand would start off on the outside on run downs, setting the edge and funneling running backs into the likes of Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark. The fact that Hand could hold up inside on run downs, should an injury present itself, would be an added bonus as well.

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A top recruit, Andrew Brown never lived up to the hype at Virginia. Brown shows positional versatility and was used inside, outside, and even standing up as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Brown lacks ideal instincts and football I.Q. but has a quick first-step and could have success in the NFL playing as an elephant in a versatile defensive front.

FOLORUNSO FATUKASI /// DL16 Connecticut (rSr)

“Foley” Fatukasi has all the desired traits of a 3-4 defensive end but lacks the consistency and production to warrant a top-tier pick. Fatukasi disappears for long stretches and is slow off the snap of the ball. He will need to start as a rotational lineman and excel in the run game to earn additional playing time.

TRENTON THOMPSON /// DL17 Georgia (Jr)

At 6’4” 295, Thompson is a natural mover for his size and looks the part of an NFL defensive linemen. His best trait is setting the edge in the run game. Thompson has some off-field concerns and is frustratingly inconsistent. He’s blocked too easily, too often, and needs to work on his technique.

PJ HALL /// DL 18 Sam Houston State (rSr)

Hall is an ultra-productive, small-school athlete who will be a tweener in the NFL. With 14 career blocked kicks and 42 career sacks, he has the production to warrant serious consideration as an interior pass rush specialist. Hall will struggle to hold up at the point of attack, but his quickness and agility give him a chance to be successful at the next level.

KENDRICK NORTON /// DL 19 Miami (Jr)

Norton, the son of former Cowboy and 49er linebacker Ken Norton, Jr., came out a year too early but has all the makings of a stalwart NFL nose tackle. At 6’3”, 312, Norton overpowers smaller interior linemen with his strong, active hands. He needs to develop a road map as a pass rusher.

LOWELL LOTULELEI /// DL20 Utah (Jr)

There are questions abound over Lotulelei’s passion for the game and his commitment to football. Lowell, the younger brother of NFL defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, flashes raw power and is difficult to move in the run game. If he dedicates himself to the game he will be a late round steal as a run-stuffing specialist.

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EDGE Position Analysis by:

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Ross Uglem

Harold Landry

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Boston College – Sr

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121

/// EDGE RUSHER ER1........... HAROLD

LANDRY Boston College......................................................................123 ER2........... BRADLEY CHUBB NC State..................................................................................124 ER3........... ARDEN KEY LSU........................................................................................................125 ER4........... MARCUS DAVENPORT UTSA.........................................................................126 ER5........... OGBONNIA OKORONKWO Oklahoma........................................................126 ER6........... UCHENNA NWOSU USC..................................................................................... 127 ER7........... SAM HUBBARD Ohio State.................................................................................... 127 ER8........... CHAD THOMAS Miami..........................................................................................128 ER9........... DUKE EJIOFOR Wake Forest..................................................................................128 ER10........... HERCULES MATA'AFA Washington State......................................................129 ER11........... DORANCE ARMSTRONG, JR Kansas.........................................................129 ER12........... TYQUAN LEWIS Ohio State.................................................................................. 130 ER13........... JOSH SWEAT Florida State..................................................................................... 130 ER14........... JEFF HOLLAND Auburn........................................................................................ 130 ER15........... MARQUIS HAYNES Ole Miss............................................................................. 130 ER16........... KEMOKO TURAY Rutgers.................................................................................... 130 ER17........... LORENZO CARTER Georgia............................................................................... 130 ER18........... JALYN HOLMES Ohio State................................................................................... 130 ER19........... JA’VON ROLLAND-JONES Arkansas State................................................. 130 ER20........... JOE OSTMAN Central Michigan............................................................................. 130 /// ADDITIONAL PLAYERS (NOT FEATURED)

ER21........... JUSTIN

LAWLER Southern Miss ER22........... GARETT DOOLEY Wisconsin ER23........... KYLIE FITTS Utah ER24........... LEON JACOBS Wisconsin ER25........... TREVON YOUNG Louisville

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HIGHLIGHTS

HAROLD LANDRY /// ER1 Boston College (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’3” / Weight: 252 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.64 NFL COMBINE / 24 Bench Reps / 36” Vertical / 119” Broad / 4.19 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.96 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 38 Tackles / 8.5 TFL / 5 Sacks IN A NUT SHELL: Junior season Harold Landry would have topped this list, there’s no question about it. Unfortunately, his senior year did not go as planned. Landry was limited by an ankle injury and missed Boston College’s final five games. Landry managed just four sacks and three QB hits. His performance against McGlinchey and Nelson of Notre Dame was less than inspiring. Once you flip on the tape from 2016, though, he’s as good as it gets off the edge. Landry’s get-off is elite. His bend is elite, too, and he’s shown that he’s at least capable enough in space to be a versatile defender and play in a multiple scheme. The only question is whether 2016 or 2017 Landry shows up at training camp. A healthy Landry is the top edge defender in 2018’s class.

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COMBINE PERFORMANCE: Landry answered a lot of questions at the combine. The list of 250+ pound defensive linemen in the first round that did the three-cone drill in less than 6.9 reads as follows: DeMarcus Ware, J.J. Watt, David Pollack, Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa and T.J. Watt. That is a helluva list. Not only did he have an unreal three-cone, but his 40, vertical jump, short shuttle and long shuttles were all in the top 80+ percentile for edge defenders.

He’s a freak athlete and his tape pre-injury confirms as much.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: At 6’3” 250, Landry is more in the outside linebacker mold than the true defensive end. Landry would likely start his career in a situational pass rush role. There would be no reason to force him into early-down duty. He and Vince Biegel could form quite the backup pass rush tandem as the Packers use Matthews, Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels to attack offensive interiors on passing downs.

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HIGHLIGHTS

BRADLEY CHUBB /// ER2 NC State (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’4” / Weight: 275 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.65 NFL COMBINE / 24 Bench Reps / 36” Vertical / 121” Broad / 4.41 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.37 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 26 TFL / 10 Sacks / 3 FF IN A NUT SHELL: Chubb is the No. 1 edge player in the class according to most evaluators, rankings and mock drafts. What he isn’t though, is a squeaky clean top edge prospect in the way that Joey Bosa and Myles Garrett were before him. Chubb would pretty clearly be the third of those three players were ranked in the same class. Chubb’s an every-down player in the traditional 4-3 defensive end body type. At 6’4” and 275 pounds, he looks like a prototype. He’s excellent in the run game and his game is incredibly well developed but might lack upside. While you can plainly see excellent hand usages and a deep set of moves, you don’t see flexibility and bend around the edge. Chubb is a readymade above-average NFL starter, likely on Day 1. What he potentially lacks is the flexibility to truly bend enough to be a consistent double-digit sack producer. That’s what you’re hoping for if you draft the No. 1 edge in a class.

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VS. TOP OPPONENT: The top end of what can be expected from Chubb is on display in his 2017 performance against Florida State. The Seminoles are usually stocked with NFL talent (FSU sports almost 100 active pros) and Chubb was downright dominant. He held up against the run as he usually does, but also generated two sacks against a very mobile quarterback, James Blackman. Chubb’s Wolfpack upset the 12th ranked ‘Noles.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Chubb would provide Green Bay an instant starter across from Nick Perry. Chubb and Perry would allow Pettine to use Clay Matthews in whatever capacity he saw fit for the USC pass rusher. While Chubb might never lead the league in sacks for Green Bay, he and Perry would become one of the league’s top edge setting duos against the run on the first day they lined up across from each other. Does Muhammad Wilkerson’s arrival make Chubb somewhat redundant? The Packers likely won’t have to make that call because Chubb should be off the board by the time Green Bay picks.

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HIGHLIGHTS

ARDEN KEY /// ER3 LSU (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’6” / Weight: 238 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a NFL COMBINE / 31” Vertical / 117” Broad / 4.25 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.16 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 5.5 TFL / 14 Sacks / 1 FF IN A NUT SHELL: Key is another player who was much better in 2016 than he was in ‘17. Key, like Landry, was also projected as a lock for the top 10 before his senior season’s work. Key has tremendous length, like LSU’s Danielle Hunter before him. His body control and fluidity were impressive, and anyone who plays the way he did in the SEC as a sophomore is someone to watch closely. Nineteenyear-old kids don’t just physically dominate in that conference.

Off-field issues have to be taken into consideration when evaluating Key as well. He took a leave of absence from LSU in the spring and his junior tape was not as good as the year prior.

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COMBINE PERFORMANCE: In a combine where most hoped Key would answer questions physically, he abstained from the marquee drills. Key chose to run his 40 yard dash and do his bench reps at LSU’s pro day.

Even more important for Key was the interview process. The explanation for his leave of absence from LSU and his junior year in general is going to have to satisfy teams looking to cash in on his tremendous potential. When asked what he said to NFL decision makers, Key explained that he “told them the real”.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: In 280 pass rush snaps as a sophomore, Key created 12 sacks, 13 QB hits and 29 hurries. Green Bay can use that disruption and Pettine has used long, talented edge players in the past. At just a shade under 240 pounds though, Key can’t be relied upon to hold up against the run and his immediate impact would be as a pass rush specialist only.

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/// EDGE RUSHER

MARCUS DAVENPORT /// ER4

OGBONNIA OKORONKWO /// ER5

Height: 6’6” / Weight: 264 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.58

Height: 6’1” / Weight: 242 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.77

UTSA (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 22 Bench Reps / 33.5” Vertical / 124” Broad / 4.41 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.20 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 55 Tackles / 17.5 TFL / 8.5 Sacks IN A NUT SHELL: Davenport is everything you’d look for physically in an edge rusher. At 6’6” and 260+ pounds, he towered over much of his Conference USA competition. His length is exceptional as well.

Davenport is extremely raw and may not produce at a high level until year two or three due to his level of competition, but also his skill set—or lack thereof. Davenport had a rough week of practice at the Senior Bowl but stood out in the game.

Davenport is strong, and stout against the run. He is full of unproven talent that might need the right coaching staff and enough time to “season”. The potential is there for an unproductive first season.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Eventually, Pettine could create a monster, but there’s a legitimate question about his ability to impact the NFL game in Year 1.

That shouldn’t scare Green Bay off from selecting him, but it’s something to keep in mind. While he develops better technique and feel for the game, Pettine could utilize Davenport’s athletic ability and hustle to be a sub-package player rushing the passer and eventually as a Nick Perry replacement.

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Oklahoma (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 27 Bench Reps / 38.5” Vertical / 121” Broad 2017 STATS / 75 Tackles / 17 TFL / 8 Sacks / 3 FF

IN A NUT SHELL: Okoronkwo is a five-year player at Oklahoma with a ton of experience defending spread attacks in the Big 12. He, like a few players in this class, has slightly better 2016 film than 2017. He’s a shorter prospect, but with long arms that allow him to play effectively on the edge. He makes himself compact with a devastating spin move. He might not be Dwight Freeney but his smaller stature and desire to use that tornado-like action does bring back fond memories of the Colts’ pass rush dynamo. Okoronkwo could certainly be scheme versatile and contribute on all three downs. He played excellently during Senior Bowl week and recorded two sacks and five QB hurries during the game.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Okoronkwo is an experienced collegian ready to come in and contribute to an NFL defense, hopefully right away. Pettine could deploy the long-armed Okoronkwo all over his “multiple” defense. He and Clay Matthews could be used as movable chess pieces on all three downs and Okoronkwo’s presence could allow Green Bay to be very realistic in extension conversations with Matthews.

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/// EDGE RUSHER

UCHENNA NWOSU /// ER6

SAM HUBBARD /// ER7

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 251 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.65

Height: 6’5” / Weight: 265 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

USC (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 20 Bench Reps / 32” Vertical / 119” Broad 2017 STATS / 75 Tackles / 11.5 TFL / 9.5 Sacks

IN A NUT SHELL: Nwosu and Okoronkwo bring many of the same attributes to the table. Nwosu is another compact edge player that USC utilized across their front seven. The high tackle total indicates Nwosu’s activity and USC’s willingness to utilize him off the ball. Nwosu possesses special change of direction ability and he’s good enough covering the pass that he could be used in an Anthony Barr role as an off-ball linebacker that also is adept at blitzing. Nwosu showed adequate hand fighting when blitzing against centers and guards that out-size him. He saw a noticeable jump in productivity during his senior season.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Pettine could do a number of things with Nwosu. He’s not a pure edge rusher that you’d expect to give you double digit sacks season in and season out. What he is, though, is a movable chess piece that can impact the game in a number of ways. His size, school and versatility may remind Packers fans of Clay Matthews, but his upside isn’t quite the same in the pass rush department.

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Ohio State (rJr)

NFL COMBINE / 35” Vertical / 116” Broad / 4.32 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.84 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 42 Tackles / 13.5 TFL / 7 Sacks IN A NUT SHELL: Hubbard is one of a few prospects at the combine who decided to do a few of the key drills at his pro day. Hubbard abstained from the 40 yard dash and the bench press, but the tests he did compete in were remarkable. His three-cone drill was truly impressive and puts him in rarified air at his size. Hubbard may have lacked a bit in production due to the unbelievable amount of talent surrounding him at Ohio State. Hubbard played with both Bosas, Tyquan Lewis and a host of other effective frontseven players. There may have been only so many snaps (and sacks) to go around. A true 4-3 end from a body type perspective, Hubbard is technically sound and his hand usage is at the top end of this class. Hubbard ranked sixth nationally in run stop percentage according to Pro Football Focus.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hubbard would give the Packers a more athletic version of Dean Lowry with more upside (and longer arms). The Packers would have a glut of guys who could really play defensive end with their hand in the ground in Pettine’s multiple defensive scheme and. The Packers can line Hubbard up all over their front and get immediate run game production. His presence could also allow someone like Mo Wilkerson to slide inside in passing situations to rush the passer. As the season goes on, Hubbard’s agility and hands could ramp up his pass rush contribution.

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/// EDGE RUSHER

CHAD THOMAS /// ER8

DUKE EJIOFOR /// ER9

Height: 6’6” / Weight: 281 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.92

Height: 6’4” / Weight: 264 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: DNP

Miami (rSr)

Wake Forest (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 29” Vertical / 116” Broad

NFL COMBINE / DNP

2017 STATS / 41 Tackles / 12.5 TFL / 4.5 Sacks

2017 STATS / 43 Tackles / 12.5 TFL / 7 Sacks

IN A NUT SHELL: Thomas is yet another guy in this class that doesn’t exactly adhere to the traditional edge position. Thomas is an effective player against the run and can provide pass rush from the interior as well as at end. Thomas looks like a Greek god, but his college production never quite matched his impressive physical gifts. Bend is basically a non-starter for Thomas as pass rush will come from hand use and brute strength with his heavy hands. Unfortunately, he’s Inconsistent both gameto-game and rep-to-rep but shows flashes of the ability to dominate. Thomas will be a positive in run defense the second he steps on an NFL field. He did not test incredibly well at the combine in the events that he chose to participate in.

IN A NUT SHELL: Ejiofor has requisite length and athleticism for the position and may be as advanced from a “moves” perspective as any rusher in this class. If the testing numbers come back at a high level, Ejiofor moves from a Day 3 to Day 2 prospect because of his skill. His hands never stop and he plays with a high motor. His athleticism doesn’t flash on film, which is why testing numbers will be key to evaluate his upside. The Wake Forest product didn’t have a ton of talent around him. Ejiofor gave guards and centers fits as he showed the capability to rush from the inside on occasion and could do the same at the next level.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Thomas would be helpful to Green Bay as an edge defender on early downs to shut down the run game and a useful body to slide inside and pass rush against opposing centers and guards.

If Pettine wants to use multiple formations he needs versatile players that can play a number of techniques across the line.

Thomas is that player, though he may never be a star.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Ejiofor is the type of immediate impact player that Pettine and the Packers could use in 2018 to improve their defense. Ejiofor is a refined pass rusher with limited athletic upside, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t’ serve a purpose. Just because Ejiofor doesn’t ever project to dominate at the next level doesn’t mean he can’t provide push off the edge and kick inside on third down. Another movable chess piece for the Packers to use in their new defense.

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/// EDGE RUSHER

HERCULES MATA'AFA /// ER10

DORANCE ARMSTRONG, JR /// ER11

Height: 6’1” / Weight: 254 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.76

Height: 6’4” / Weight: 246 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.87

Washington State (rJr)

Kansas (Jr)

NFL COMBINE / 26 Bench Reps / 31.5” Vertical / 108” Broad / 4.37 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.24 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 20 Bench Reps / 30” Vertical / 118” Broad / 4.23 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.12 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 45 Tackles / 22.5 TFL / 10.5 Sacks

2017 STATS / 63 Tackles / 9.5 TFL / 2 Sacks

IN A NUT SHELL: Mata'afa is an incredibly difficult prospect to evaluate. He played defensive tackle in Washington State’s defensive scheme, a three-man line in which Mata'afa played with his hand on the ground. The line would shift before every play and then slant on almost every down to try and confuse the offensive line. Mata'afa was incredibly productive in this scheme, shooting gaps and collecting 22.5 TFL. Scheme aside, he projects as a quick twitch athlete with exceptional get-off.

He’ll have to be taught the edge position after playing out of position in college, so a quality position coach is a must.

IN A NUT SHELL: Armstrong doesn’t bring the versatility that so many in this section provide. He is an edge rusher, plain and simple. He’ll play outside linebacker in a 3-4 or gain a little weight and play defensive end. Armstrong shows consistent effort and has the bend needed to finish rushes. His above-average three-cone time testifies to an ability to change direction and play with balance. Get-off is pretty average but the strike with the hands is noticeable and he utilizes a spin move as a counter. His tackle total is high for an edge player, especially with so little talent around him at Kansas. His sophomore film would have locked Armstrong into the second day of the draft.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Mata'afa is a long-term project with tremendous strength and athletic upside though he didn’t rest particularly well at the combine. The Packers would likely use him as a special teams missile. Like many players in this class, Mata'afa would be moved around the Packers defense at first but could provide an exciting set of skills on the interior. The idea of him running a stunt with Mike Daniels or Clay Matthews is exciting. Players with his quickness and football instincts don’t come around that often. He just needs to find a way to win within an NFL scheme.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Armstrong, Jr. would slide into the traditional outside linebacker/edge role in the Packers defense and likely be part of a rotation at that position with Matthews and Biegel while Perry, Lowry and Gilbert manned the “strong” position from either a two or three-point stance. Armstrong relies on his athleticism over technique but has the agility to give teams fits early in his career.

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/// EDGE RUSHER JOSH SWEAT /// ER13 Florida State (Jr)

Sweat absolutely tore up the NFL combine. His 4.53 yard 40 was incredibly impressive for a 6ft 251 lb. man. His 39.5” vertical is an indicator of elite explosion as well. Sweat was always more highly touted and athletic than his production indicates but his potential will drive an NFL team to select him in the middle rounds.

JEFF HOLLAND /// ER14 Auburn (Jr)

Holland took over for Carl Lawson both on the field and in this class as the compact edge rusher from Auburn who turned heads. Holland was first-team All-SEC. Holland’s a very physical player with a high motor but might not be an elite athlete.

MARQUIS HAYNES /// ER15 Ole Miss (Sr)

Haynes had an excellent showing at the combine. His 40 time (speed), broad jump (explosion) and three-cone drill (flexibility and bend) all graded out at the 65th percentile or better according to Mockdraftable.com. Haynes was a productive pass rusher, but his smaller frame and impressive speed will allow him to play off the ball if his new team sees fit.

TYQUAN LEWIS /// ER12 Ohio State (rSr)

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 265 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a NFL COMBINE / 35.5” Vertical / 122” Broad 2017 STATS / 20 Tackles / 9.5 TFL / 7 Sacks

IN A NUT SHELL: Lewis’ numbers don’t jump out at you immediately until you realize that he only saw 247 pass rush snaps due to the quality and depth of Ohio State’s defensive front. In those limited snaps Lewis generated seven sacks, eight QB hits and 18 QB hurries. Lewis has a tremendous get-off and does a good job flattening to the QB after the tackle is beaten, which is a rare trait. Lewis is also big enough through his trunk to kick inside and rush where his hand use is adequate. Run defense is a plus for Lewis as he dominates tight ends.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Tyquan Lewis would immediately replicate the Nick Perry spot in Pettine’s defense. Perry is also listed at 6’3” 265 and has rushed from inside for Green Bay in the past. Each player can operate with the hands in the ground or as stand up rushers on the strong side of the formation and set the edge against tight ends. Lewis can play on all three downs, likely right away in his NFL career because of his playing strength.

KEMOKO TURAY /// ER16 Rutgers (rSr)

Turay is a five-year guy who lost a lot of football games at Rutgers and didn’t play with much talent around him. He has excellent size (6’5”, 253) and many evaluators feel that there’s a very good chance his pro production exceeds what he accomplished in the Big Ten. Turay plays with a high motor and tackles well. Injuries during his sophomore and junior seasons need to be noted.

LORENZO CARTER /// ER17 Georgia (Sr)

Carter moves incredibly well for a 6’6” 250-pound prospect.

His 4.50 40 times would have played just fine in the wide receiver group, much less at defensive end. As long as he is, Carter is actually effective enough in coverage to play off the ball, though I doubt a team uses him in that capacity. He’s a finesse rusher who isn’t incredibly consistent and is faster than he is quick or agile.

JALYN HOLMES /// ER18 Ohio State (Sr)

Holmes couldn’t find time as a starter at Ohio State due to the first-round picks he played alongside, but might project as a starter at LDE at the next level. Holmes played outside on early downs at Ohio State and kicked inside to rush the passer. That’s likely his NFL role.

JA’VON ROLLAND-JONES /// ER19 Arkansas State (Sr)

Rolland-Jones was too athletic for the tackles he faced in the Sun Belt but did not run well at the combine. That said, he’s a flexible athlete who projects as a third down and special teams player in the NFL. His size and level of competition will be legitimate concerns.

JOE OSTMAN /// ER20 Central Michigan (Sr)

Ostman hand fights as well as anyone in this class of pass rushers. His size and level of competition raise questions but he gets the most out of his athletic gifts.

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130

ILB Position Analysis by:

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Dan Dahlke

Roquan Smith

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Georgia – Jr

131

/// INSIDE LINEBACKER LB1........... ROQUAN

SMITH Georgia...................................................................................... 133 LB2........... TREMAINE EDMUNDS Virginia Tech.............................................................134 LB3........... LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH Boise State.......................................................135 LB4........... MALIK JEFFERSON Texas..................................................................................136 LB5........... RASHAAN EVANS Alabama...............................................................................136 LB6........... JEROME BAKER Ohio State................................................................................... 137 LB7........... JOSEY JEWELL Iowa............................................................................................... 137 LB8........... FRED WARNER BYU...............................................................................................138 LB9........... OREN BURKS Vanderbuilt.......................................................................................138 LB10........... DARIUS LEONARD South Carolina State...........................................................139 LB11........... DORIAN O’DANIEL Clemson...............................................................................139 LB12........... MICAH KISER Virginia............................................................................................ 140 LB13........... CHRISTIAN SAM Arizona State........................................................................... 140 LB14........... SHAQUEM GRIFFIN UCF................................................................................... 140 LB15........... MATTHEW THOMAS Florida State................................................................. 140 LB16........... GENARD AVERY Memphis................................................................................... 140 LB17........... MIKE MCCRAY Michigan....................................................................................... 140 LB18........... AZEEM VICTOR Washington............................................................................... 140 LB19........... SHAUN DION HAMILTON Alabama............................................................ 140 LB20........... TEGRAY SCALES Indiana.................................................................................... 140 /// ADDITIONAL PLAYERS (NOT FEATURED)

LB21........... KENNY YOUNG

LB26........... CHRIS WORLEY

LB22........... KEISHAWN BIERRIA

LB27........... JOEL IYIEGBUNIWE

LB23........... JACK CICHY

LB28........... TRE’ WILLIAMS

LB24........... NICK DELUCA

LB29........... JASON CABINDA

LB25........... SKAI MOORE

LB30........... CHRIS COVINGTON

UCLA

Washington Wisconsin

Northern Dakota State South Carolina

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Ohio State

Western Kentucky Auburn

Penn State Indiana

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HIGHLIGHTS

ROQUAN SMITH /// LB1 Georgia (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’1” / Weight: 236 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.51 NFL COMBINE / DNP 2017 STATS / 137 Tackles / 14 TFL / 6.5 Sacks / 1 FF / 2 PBU IN A NUT SHELL: There is very little Smith can’t do well at the linebacker position.

His combination of speed and football intelligence allows him to stay a step ahead of any offense. He’s excellent at anticipating the run and shows impressive burst to quickly close in on the ball carrier to make the stop. He led a dominant Georgia defense in 2017 with 137 tackles. There isn’t a player better in this year’s draft class at making plays in pursuit, primarily because of his relentlessly aggressive playing style, burst and long speed. His 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a junior also show how frequently he made his presence felt behind the line of scrimmage. Smith does a fantastic job slipping blocks and using his agility to slice through the line and get his hands on the ball carrier. The 2017 Butkus Award winner also has very fluid hips and smooth lateral movement, which enables him to quickly change direction and make plays out in space. He’s one of the better coverage linebackers in the class, making him a true every-down player in the NFL. His game resembles Bobby Wagner from the Seattle Seahawks.

BEST GAME: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP / ALABAMA (2018) Despite Georgia’s heartbreaking 26-23 loss to Alabama in the 2018 College Playoff Championship game, Smith may have had his best game as a college athlete. Against the Crimson Tide’s

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hard-nosed ground game, Smith stepped up and made stop after stop to shutout Alabama in the first half and limit their rushing attack. He finished the night with a team-high 13 tackles, to go along with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. The 236-pound linebacker flew to the ball and made his presence felt with a couple of monster hits in the open field. Against the nation’s top team, Smith was arguably the most impressive player on the field.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Smith’s aggressive playing style combined with his elite athleticism make him the ideal NFL linebacker. The former Georgia defensive captain might be too good a player for the Packers to pass up if he’s still available when they’re on the clock in the first round even though inside linebacker might not be their most pressing need in the draft. Smith would give them a speedy playmaker in the second level of their defense who could roam the middle of the field and chase down ball carriers. Adding a linebacker with Smith’s type of speed and athleticism to Green Bay’s defense could really limit what an offense can do and go a long way in limiting opponents’ production outside the hash marks. Smith’s ability to defend the middle of the field against the pass would immediately upgrade their defense playing next to Blake Martinez.

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HIGHLIGHTS

TREMAINE EDMUNDS /// LB2 Virginia Tech (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’5” / Weight: 253 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.54 NFL COMBINE / 19 Bench Reps / 117" Broad 2017 STATS / 109 Tackles / 14 TFL / 5.5 Sacks / 3 FF / 2 PBU IN A NUT SHELL: It’s difficult to describe Edmunds’ game without first acknowledging his freakish athleticism. It’s rare to find an inside linebacker that measures in at 6’5’’ and 253 pounds, let alone one that has blazing 4.54 speed. The two-year starter from Virginia Tech is a rare blend of speed, size, and explosive athleticism, and the exciting part is he’s only 19-years-old. His ceiling appears almost limitless. However, the former ACC standout is not only a tremendous athlete but also a smart player who plays fast, displaying the ability to read and diagnoses plays so well. Edmunds does a great job moving laterally while keeping his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage, which helps him quickly plug rushing lanes and close in on the ball carrier. His 14.5 tackles for loss demonstrate his ability to wreak havoc behind the line of scrimmage. It’s hard to find something Edmunds can’t do at the position, though Virginia Tech didn’t often ask him to cover in space.

He uses his hands and size well to stack and shed blocks, but he also has the speed and athleticism to make plays in pursuit. Combine that with his ability to rush the passer or drop in coverage and he’s a complete linebacker prospect for the modern NFL.

BEST GAME: VIRGINIA (2017) In college Edmunds was consistently the best player on the field, but no game demonstrates the impact he can have on the field more than his 2017 performance against Virginia. In the Hokies 10-0 win over

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the Cavaliers, Edmunds flew to the ball and made plays all over the field. He finished the night with nine tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. What was most impressive though was the play speed Edmunds demonstrated throughout the game. Early in the first quarter he ran step-for-step with a running back down the sideline on a wheel route to force an incomplete pass. And then later in the fourth quarter, he showed impressive closing burst by tracking down the quarterback outside the pocket to force a stop. Edmunds flashed his ability to be a true impact player at the next level.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Given Edmunds is a rare athlete and there are few weaknesses to his game, he should get drafted in the first half of the first round. He might be very tempting if he’s still on the board when Green Bay picks at 14. He would give them a versatile player who can impact the game in a variety of ways. He’s not only an active player against the run and reliable in coverage, but he can also generate pressure as a rusher when asked to blitz. In the past two seasons, he recorded 10 sacks and 13 quarterback hurries. Edmunds has enough size, length, and pass rush ability to play either outside linebacker spot in Green Bay’s defense. His ability to play any linebacker position would give defensive coordinator Mike Pettine an interesting chess piece to use creatively on the field.

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HIGHLIGHTS

LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH /// LB3 Boise State (rJr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’4” / Weight: 256 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.65 NFL COMBINE / 20 Bench Reps / 39.5” Vertical / 124” Broad / 4.15 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.88 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 141 Tackles / 8.5 TFL / 4 Sacks / 4 FF / 4 PBU / 3 INT IN A NUT SHELL: As far as linebacker prospects go, Vander Esch could have been built in a lab to play the position. From a physical standpoint, he’s a unique athlete. At the combine, he measured in the 98th percentile for height, 95th percentile for weight, and 96th percentile for wingspan for the position. Add in the fact his vertical (98%), broad jump (96%), 40-time (82%), 3-cone (89%), and short shuttle (82%) numbers showed elite athleticism and explosiveness for a linebacker of his size. His speed and agility show up on tape. He does a great job getting through the trash, slipping blocks, and then working his way to the ball. He led the Broncos in tackles in 2017 with 141 stops and consistently proved to be the best player on the field in the Boise State games.

However, the Idaho native was only a one-year starter in college and a bit of a late bloomer. His tape and athletic profile are very impressive, but he may be a bit of a high reward/high risk prospect in the early rounds.

BEST GAME: LAS VEGAS BOWL (2017) Vander Esch had a dominant performance in Boise State’s 3828 victory over Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl. He made his

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presence felt all over the field, recording 12 tackles in the contest, including one sack, a forced fumble, and three stops for a loss. However, what the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year really showed was his ability to excel in all three phases of the defense. He was disruptive at the line of scrimmage against the run, created pressure as a blitzer, and looked very fluid dropping in coverage and roaming the middle of the field to defend the pass. It was the complete game scouts can point to when projecting how good he can be at the next level.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: The former Boise State standout is an every-down linebacker at the next level and would immediately upgrade Green Bay’s linebacking corps. Vander Esch is a long, smooth athlete with range, which would give them a playmaker in the middle of their defense opposing offenses would have to account for. His ability to also use his length to stack and shed blocks will be a welcome sight on the interior of their defense. Green Bay could even try Vander Esch at outside linebacker at the SAM position.

Given his size, length, and explosive athleticism, the versatile linebacker could be an effective edge player in the NFL as well.

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/// INSIDE LINEBACKER

MALIK JEFFERSON /// LB4

RASHAAN EVANS /// LB5

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 236 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.52

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 232 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: DNP

Texas (Jr)

Alabama (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 27 Bench Reps / 36” Vertical / 125” Broad

NFL COMBINE / 30” Vertical / 116” Broad / 4.36 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.95 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 110 Tackles / 10 TFL / 4 Sacks

2017 STATS / 74 Tackles / 13 TFL / 6 Sacks / 1 FF / 3 PBU

IN A NUT SHELL: Jefferson checks all of the boxes at the position from an athletic standpoint. He possesses the size, speed, and agility to excel at linebacker in the NFL. However, while the Texas native is a very gifted athlete, he can be frustrating to evaluate. He shows a lot of closing burst and fluid change of direction, but he can be a little slow at reading and diagnosing plays. His motor is also inconsistent and he can be a bit of a pile inspector. With his unique physical gifts, Jefferson should make more of a consistent impact on the field. Not many players his size possess 4.52 speed. However, Jefferson disappears for long stretches of the game and doesn’t always play with the fire or intensity teams want from their middle linebacker.

IN A NUT SHELL: While Evans is an explosive downhill athlete, his best attribute is his punishing physical playing style. He navigates through the trash well, fighting through blocks and wrestling down ball carriers. He’s not afraid to lay the wood and make his presence felt as an impact tackler. However, Evans also shows good change of direction ability, which allows him to run sideline to sideline and track down ball carriers. From a physical traits perspective, Evans has all of the tools team want in a linebacker. However, at times his aggressive playing style gets the best of him. Sometimes he misreads the play progression and gets himself out position to make the stop. He’s also only an average pass defender, and far more effective rushing the passer on third downs than dropping in coverage.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Jefferson could immediately compete for a starting role at linebacker. He has the speed to make plays out on the boundary and is very sound in coverage. He can even line up over the slot and hold his own. However, he could also be an option as an edge player. He frequently rushed the passer at Texas, recording 12 sacks and 14 hurries as a three-year starter. His versatility and athletic profile make him an intriguing prospect that could give Green Bay a lot of options on defense.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Evans would not only add athleticism to the Packers defense, but he would bring a physical presence to their club. Given his athletic traits, his ceiling as a prospect is also very high, but he needs to clean up the mental lapses and show more consistency in coverage. Evans could be a potential impact player on the Packers defense, especially in the run game, but the jury is still out on whether he’s a true three-down player at the next level.

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/// INSIDE LINEBACKER

JEROME BAKER /// LB6

JOSEY JEWELL /// LB7

Height: 6’1” / Weight: 229 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.53

Height: 6’1” / Weight: 234 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.82

Ohio State (Jr)

Iowa (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 22 Bench Reps / 36.5” Vertical / 126” Broad

NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / 33” Vertical / 117” Broad / 4.27 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.8 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 72 Tackles / 8 TFL / 3.5 Sacks / 2 FR / 3 PBU

2017 STATS / 136 Tackles / 13.5 TFL / 4.5 Sacks / 1 FF / 2 INT / 11 PBU

IN A NUT SHELL: The former Buckeye standout is a small, speedy linebacker with gobs of athletic potential. While his play is inconsistent at times on the field, Baker flashes playmaking ability, especially as a coverage player. He can line up wide over the slot or flip his hips and trail athletic tight ends down the seam. His speed and ability to smoothly change direction allow him to also make stops out in space and track down ball carriers in pursuit.

However, Baker is not overly physical and his lack of size can lead him to get washed out of the action against the run. Too frequently he gets swallowed up by blockers and needs to do a better job using his hands to slip blocks. Baker’s best fit at the next level is as a 4-3 weakside or nickel linebacker.

IN A NUT SHELL: Jewell may be the smartest linebacker in the class. While he may not always win with elite athleticism or speed, the Iowa native does play fast because of his ability to quickly read and diagnose plays on the field. He shows tremendous anticipation and instincts against the run. With very few wasted steps, Jewell seems to always be in the right position to make a stop.

He was a tackling machine in the Hawkeyes defense and plays with a relentless motor. In his final three seasons at Iowa, he recorded 136, 124, and 126 tackles. He’s also very sound in coverage, especially when dropping in zone. He tallied six interceptions and 26 pass breakups as a three-year starter. He recorded the second fastest three-cone time among linebackers at the combine, and his agility and quickness allow him to hold up well in coverage despite not possessing top-end speed.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Baker is at his best when he’s allowed to roam and make plays out in space. Green Bay would have to use him wisely in order to get the most out of his unique athleticism. In a 3-4 front, Baker could excel as a weakside inside linebacker where he’s not asked to take on blocks head on and can just flow to the ball as a pursuit player. He could also come on the field in passing situations as a nickel linebacker or be the lone dime backer.

The Packers defense would certainly improve with more speed and athleticism on the field.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Jewell demonstrates very similar traits to Blake Martinez.

He’s a smart player who plays light on his feet and whose motor never stops. While he may get exposed at times in man coverage at the next level, he’s still a sound enough technician and shows enough field awareness that he can still make plays dropping in zone. Jewell would give the Packers another highly intelligent linebacker to play alongside Martinez who could also make an impact on special teams.

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/// INSIDE LINEBACKER

FRED WARNER /// LB8

OREN BURKS /// LB9

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 236 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.64

Height: 6’3” / Weight: 233 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.59

BYU (Sr)

Vanderbuilt (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 21 Bench Reps / 38.5” Vertical / 119” Broad / 4.28 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.9 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / 39.5” Vertical / 131” Broad / 4.15 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.82 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 87 Tackles / 9 TFL / 1 Sack / 1 FF / 5 PBU / 1 INT

2017 STATS / 82 Tackles / 7 TFL / 1 Sack / 3 PBU / 1 INT

IN A NUT SHELL:

IN A NUT SHELL:

Warner is a fluid athlete with impressive burst and ability to smoothly flip his hips and move laterally. The three-year starter out of BYU has length, speed, and quick feet. He moves naturally on the field, which helps him hold up in coverage and quickly close ground on ball carriers outside the tackle box. However, Warner is at his best playing out in space, and he lacks the functional strength and tenacity to hold his own in the trash as an interior run defender. His best fit seems to be as a 4-3 outside linebacker or nickel linebacker in a 3-4 scheme where he can roam and flow to the ball unhampered. The California native does a nice job getting skinny and finding the crease in the line to break into the backfield. However, just don’t ask him to square up a guard and hold his ground at the line of scrimmage.

Burks is a tremendous athlete. He finished in the top-three among linebackers at the combine in the broad jump, vertical, short shuttle, and three-cone drill. The three-year starter began his collegiate career at safety but then transitioned to linebacker in 2016. His experience at defensive back shows up on film. Burks moves fluidly in space, demonstrating quick lateral movement and an ability to smoothly change direction and flow to the ball. He finished second on the Commodores in tackles as a senior with 82 stops, and he really excels when he’s allowed to run and chase down ball carriers out in space. The 233-pound linebacker’s best fit going into the NFL is as a weakside defender, where he can use his speed and athleticism to make plays in pursuit.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

FIT WITH THE PACKERS:

Warner’s ability to line up wide over a slot receiver or split-out tight end would be very valuable for them to have on the field. He would also bring an athletic presence to the second level of their defense and give them a player who can run sideline-to-sideline and make stops outside the hash marks. The former BYU linebacker possesses all of the athletic traits to excel at the next level. However, the mental awareness and technique aren’t quite there yet for him to make an immediate impact. He needs to improve reading his keys, clean up his open-field tackling, and use his hands and length better to disengage from blockers in the run game.

Burks would add speed and coverage ability to the Packers linebacker group. He could contribute immediately as a third-down defender, and even be featured as the lone linebacker in their dime defense.

However, Burks does have the length and frame to add more weight and improve his functional strength in order to become a more complete every-down player. With a little more bulk, Burks could be an effective run defender between the tackles. Selecting a player like Burks could really help the Packers if they’re willing to wait on his development.

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/// INSIDE LINEBACKER

DARIUS LEONARD /// LB10

DORIAN O’DANIEL /// LB11

Height: 6’2” / Weight: 234 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.70

Height: 6’1” / Weight: 223 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.61

South Carolina State (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 17 Bench Reps / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / 114 Tackles / 12 TFL / 8.5 Sacks / 1 FF / 2 INT IN A NUT SHELL: Leonard has been a standout MEAC defensive player for the past four seasons. Ever since he stepped on the field as a freshman, the 6’2’’, 234-pound linebacker was SC State’s top defensive playmaker. He led the team in tackles as a freshman in 2014, and then two years later won the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior where he recorded 124 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and forced four fumbles. Leonard’s versatility was well utilized in the Bulldogs defense. He’s an excellent sideline-to-sideline run defender, who trusts his eyes, doesn’t take false steps, and shows tremendous play recognition. He can also rush off the edge and generate pressure—he tallied 22 sacks at SCSU—as well as drop in coverage. Leonard is a smooth athlete with good change of direction ability and fluid hips, which helps him drop and track tight ends down the seam.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Leonard’s ability to hold up in all three phases of the defense would definitely help the Packers at the linebacker position. Although he’s not the biggest linebacker, he plays with good functional strength and would give them a reliable interior run defender who can take on blocks and hold his own at the line of scrimmage. His ability to play as a run-and-chase ‘backer would give Mike Pettine an added element at inside linebacker to pair alongside Blake Martinez.

However, Leonard’s best attribute is his ability to play in coverage.

He’d be a player they wouldn’t have to take off the field on third down and who could excel in their nickel defense.

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Clemson (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 32” Vertical / 119” Broad / 4.07 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.64 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 88 Tackles / 11.5 TFL / 5 Sack / 5 PBU / 2 INT IN A NUT SHELL: O’Daniel is an undersized linebacker who flies to ball and plays with reckless abandon. He looks more like a safety on the field than a true off-the-ball linebacker. He’s light on his feet and has excellent change of direction ability. His outstanding three-cone and 20-yard shuttle times at the combine, which were the top marks of any linebacker, reflect his lateral quickness and agility. The former Clemson standout is a very good coverage linebacker, who can line up wide over the slot or stick on a tight end’s hip down the seam. However, despite the superb athleticism and speed, O’Daniel’s lack of size and functional strength do hurt his ability to take on blocks and hold his own at the line of scrimmage. Too frequently he gets washed out of the action.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: O’Daniel is built to play linebacker in the modern NFL. He’s fast, athletic, and can cover. He also shows very good ball skills. In 2017 he recorded two interceptions and five pass breakups. The Packers could certainly use an athletic linebacker to feature in coverage.

Initially, O’Daniel could be a useful third-down defender who is widely utilized as an inside linebacker in their nickel defense. While Josh Jones may already fill this role for them next year, having another linebacker/safety hybrid player on the field will bring more speed and athleticism to their defense. O’Daniel could also instantly be an impact special teams player for the Packers.

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/// INSIDE LINEBACKER CHRISTIAN SAM /// LB13 Arizona State (rJr)

Sam is a gritty defender who wins with intelligence and a relentless motor.

The 6’2’’, 244-pound linebacker does a fantastic job reading and diagnosing plays and then swarming to the ball. He led the Sun Devils in tackles with 127 stops to go along with 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He’s also a smooth athlete in space and can hold his own in coverage. He’s a solid midround option.

SHAQUEM GRIFFIN /// LB14 UCF (rSr)

Griffin is much more than just an inspiring story. After having his left arm amputated below the elbow at the age of five, the Florida native has managed to put together an impressive football resume. He led UCF in sacks (7), hurries (9), and tackles for loss (13.5) as a senior in 2017. This follows a season where he tallied 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks as a junior. The 6’1’’, 227-pound linebacker is a versatile defender who can rush the passer off the edge or play off the ball and drop in coverage. His blazing 4.38 forty time at the combine was one of the fastest times recorded by a linebacker in recent memory. Some even speculate if he could transition to safety at the next level.

MATTHEW THOMAS /// LB15 Florida State (rSr)

MICAH KISER /// LB12 Virginia (rSr)

Height: 6’2” / Weight: 238 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.66 NFL COMBINE / 35.5” Vertical / 121” Broad / 4.24 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.05 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 145 Tackles / 9.5 TFL / 5 Sacks / 4 PBU IN A NUT SHELL: Kiser is a smart, tough linebacker who had a very productive career at Virginia. For three straight seasons he led the Cavaliers in tackles, tallying 117, 134, and 145 stops. The Baltimore native made play after play on the field, proving to be one of the better defenders in the ACC. In college he recorded 19 sacks, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 13 pass breakups as a threeyear starter. However, Kiser’s limited agility and stiff change of direction could lead to him being a liability in coverage if matched against an elusive halfback at the next level. He is more of a downhill athlete with some lateral quickness. In the very least, he’s a very good early-down defender.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Kiser is a solid linebacker prospect who would offer depth to the second level of Green Bay’s defense. While not any one aspect of Kiser’s game really stands out, he is a strong interior run defender who can take on blocks and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He could compete for a starting role at inside linebacker and complement Blake Martinez’s game well.

However, despite being adequate at dropping in zone, Kiser could struggle in man coverage, which might keep him off the field in passing situations.

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Thomas is an impressive athlete with eye-popping workout numbers. He had the top vertical (41.5”) and broad jump (131”) among linebackers at the combine. He also ran a blazing 4.58 forty. However, despite the elite athletic traits, Thomas lacked impact plays in college and failed to stand out in a mediocre Florida State defense in 2017. The 6’3’’, 232-pound linebacker is still a notable prospect with a lot of upside, but his game remains raw and will need some work in order to contribute at the next level.

GENARD AVERY /// LB16 Memphis (Sr)

The former Memphis linebacker is an impressive athlete. He finished among the top linebackers in 40 time (4.59), bench press (26 reps), vertical (36”), and broad jump (124”). While his change of direction ability is a bit stiff at times, his straight-line speed and explosive athleticism show up on film in his ability to chase down ball carriers and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He led the Tigers in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (8.5) as a senior.

MIKE MCCRAY /// LB17 Michigan (Sr)

McCray is a tough, hard-nosed linebacker with a lot of production in the Big Ten. As a leader in the Wolverines defense, he recorded 83 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and five sacks in 2017. The senior linebacker found ways to make plays on the field, but average speed (4.76) and athleticism will make him a likely mid-round selection.

AZEEM VICTOR /// LB18 Washington (Sr)

Following his sophomore season, Victor was considered one of the top young linebackers in college football. However, disappointing junior and senior seasons that were riddled with injuries and sub-par play have really hurt his draft stock. The rangy linebacker is still a smooth athlete who can play out in space, but he gets washed out of plays too frequently. He also lacked impact plays in his final two years at Washington.

SHAUN DION HAMILTON /// LB19 Alabama (Sr)

Dion Hamilton is a tough Alabama linebacker with underrated speed and football intelligence. His play speed is impressive because he’s so sound in reading and diagnosing plays. However, the 6’0’’, 235-pound linebacker is a bit undersized, and he missed a good portion of the 2017 season with a significant knee injury, which has also prevented him from working out during the pre-draft evaluation process. This could cause him to fall to the later rounds.

TEGRAY SCALES /// LB20 Indiana (Sr)

Scales is a versatile defender, who, although undersized at 6’0’’ and 230 pounds, was very effective blitzing off the edge and getting after quarterbacks in the Big Ten. As a four-year starter in Indiana’s defense, he tallied 46 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. He also found ways to make plays in coverage. However, the lack of measurables and limited athleticism and speed has really hurt his draft stock. He could still be a valuable role player at the next level.

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CB Position Analysis by:

///

Erik Fretland

Josh Jackson

///

Iowa – rJr

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/// CORNERBACK S1........... JOSH

JACKSON Iowa..............................................................................................143 S2........... DENZEL WARD Ohio State.................................................................................... 144 S3........... JAIRE ALEXANDER Louisville.......................................................................... 145 S4........... DONTE JACKSON LSU......................................................................................... 146 S5........... ANTHONY AVERETT Alabama........................................................................ 146 S6........... PARRY NICKERSON Tulane............................................................................... 147 S7........... MIKE HUGHES UCF................................................................................................. 147 S8........... HOLTON HILL Texas................................................................................................ 148 S9........... ISAIAH OLIVER Colorado...................................................................................... 148 S10........... GREG STROMAN Virginia Tech...........................................................................149 S11........... MJ STEWART UNC...................................................................................................149 S12........... LEVI WALLACE Alabama...................................................................................... 150 S13........... QUENTIN MEEKS Stanford................................................................................. 150 S14........... DARIUS PHILLIPS Western Michigan................................................................ 150 S15........... CARLTON DAVIS Auburn..................................................................................... 150 S16........... RASHAAN GAULDEN Tennessee.................................................................... 150 S17........... BRANDON FACYSON Virginia Tech............................................................... 150 S18........... KEVIN TOLIVER LSU............................................................................................. 150 S19........... SIRAN NEAL Jacksonville State.............................................................................. 150 S20........... JC JACKSON Maryland............................................................................................. 150

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142

HIGHLIGHTS

JOSH JACKSON /// CB1 Iowa (rJr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’1” / Weight: 192 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.56 NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / 38” Vertical / 123” Broad / 4.03 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.86 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 48 Tackles / 8 Int (21.0 Yd Ret/Avg) / 2 TD / 18 PD / 1 FF / 5 Punt Returns (36 Yds / 7.2 Avg) IN A NUT SHELL: Watching Josh Jackson play football brings to mind other Big Ten ballhawks, like Charles Woodson and Marshon Lattimore.

The scary thing for his future opponents is: he’s only played the cornerback position for two full seasons.

Jackson was given a variety of responsibilities in Kirk Ferentz’s defense, albeit typically from the left cornerback position. He was asked to play press man, press-bail Cover-3/Cover-4 zone "a scheme that requires a high football IQ to execute" and some underneath zone. He showed a base level of competence in all areas, but excelled in press man, defending deep routes in Cover-3, 4, and man, and reading route combinations and working as part of the whole defensive unit to make calculated gambles that led to frequent turnovers.

His footwork in press and press bail is good enough to mirror receivers at the line, and he is comfortably physical with receivers throughout their routes (occasionally too much so).

Once the ball is in the air, his ball skills are just as good as those of the receiver he is guarding.

Jackson is not without his flaws (inconsistent tackling form, poor block shedding, inconsistent feel for zone when playing

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underneath in a Cover-2), but they come in areas that are much less important than the areas in which he excels.

BEST GAME: OHIO STATE (2017) Jackson’s best game in 2017 came against the Ohio State Buckeyes. His three interceptions were indicative of how difficult Iowa’s defense made it for OSU to move the ball. Each of his interceptions showcased a different part of his skillset, with one of them being an incredible one-handed leaping interception on a deep ball reminiscent of Odell Beckham’s famous catch, and another showing his route recognition and comfort working within the confines of a defensive scheme and knowing when he had help over the top and was able to gamble.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: The Packers clearly do not shy away from adding players without much experience at the cornerback position (see: Sam Shields, Damarious Randall, Quentin Rollins). However, Jackson already looks polished enough playing corner that one might believe he’s been playing it his whole life, with room to grow even further.

His strengths (press man, Cover-3 defending deep routes, winning jump balls) play exactly into what the Packers traditionally look for in their corners. It would be hard to find a better fit for the Packers among this class’ defensive prospects than Josh Jackson.

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DENZEL WARD /// CB2 Ohio State (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 5’11” / Weight: 183 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.32 NFL COMBINE / 16 Bench Reps / 39” Vertical / 138” Broad 2017 STATS / 37 Tackles / 15 PD / 2 INT (0 Yd) IN A NUT SHELL: Ward’s ability to play at the highest level of college football despite his smaller-than-ideal frame is a testament to both his athleticism and his sound fundamentals. Some evaluators have graded him higher than former OSU teammate Gareon Conley, who went in the late first round of the 2017 draft.

good at staying in phase and playing the receiver’s hands to prevent completions. His footwork in press man against inbreaking routes can also be improved.

Ohio State primarily had Ward play at left cornerback in 2017, where his responsibilities were typically press man and pressbail Cover-3/Cover-4 zone. In both these roles, he exhibited consistent speed to avoid getting beat deep, as well as the ability to play conservatively and then close aggressively to limit YAC or break up passes on shorter-breaking routes.

NFL COMBINE: If there was any doubt before the combine that Denzel Ward was an elite athlete, his 4.32 40 time and 39 inch vertical put it to rest. Ward’s game depends on his ability to remain in position against both short and deep routes, and his 40 time backed up what the game film suggests. For those concerned with his struggles playing the ball in the air and his relative lack of size, they will be encouraged by his 39 inch vertical, which theoretically should allow him to win more jump balls.

In zone, he possesses good awareness for when receivers leave his zone and when they come into it, minimizing throwing windows for the offense. He is also a very willing tackler, playing fast and aggressive when coming up in run support and against shorter throws. Ward does possess several weaknesses. His size limits him from consistently making unblocked tackles in the run game, and he will occasionally be boxed out by larger receivers. He also struggles to find the ball and play it in the air when he is running downfield with a man, although he is

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Ward is shorter than the Packers’ ideal cornerback, but not prohibitively so. His strengths (press man, C3/C4 zone) match what Green Bay likes to do with their outside cornerbacks, while his willingness to play the run might make him a candidate to switch inside and play slot corner, where the Packers currently have a need. Joe Whitt would be the perfect position coach to fix Ward’s footwork issues and help him develop his technique when playing the ball in the air.

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JAIRE ALEXANDER /// CB3 Louisville (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 5’11” / Weight: 192 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.38 NFL COMBINE / 14 Bench Reps / 35” Vertical / 127” Broad / 3.98 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.71 Three-Cone 2017 STATS (5 GAMES) / 19 Tackles / 4 PD / 1 INT IN A NUT SHELL: Although Alexander’s 2017 was interrupted several times due to a variety of injuries, he has shown enough over his college career to be considered as a top-level cornerback prospect in this draft class. He has experience playing both sides of the field as well as in the slot, is an effective blitzer and a physical deep-ball defender.

Alexander is densely built enough to be physical throughout the receiver’s route, and nowhere is this more apparent than when the receiver is attempting to run go routes. Alexander is an expert at staying in position when in press man, stacking on top of the receiver, and stifling any chance the receiver has to get free downfield. He also has the speed to run in the hip pocket of the receiver and to make up the distance if he does get beat on a double move.

Alexander plays like he loves contact, which is apparent in how he attacks blockers on screen passes and in how he closes when he blitzes. He has positional versatility in that he can play both outside and in the slot.

On the negative side, he should not be asked to play much off-

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man, as he appears less than comfortable mirroring some routes from off-man and does not have the smoothest hip turn. He also possesses a minor injury record (twice-sprained knee plus a broken hand in 2017).

BEST GAME: CLEMSON (2016) Alexander’s best game in 2016 came against Louisville’s top opponent. Against Clemson, Alexander had two interceptions as well as forced a fumble. His first interception came in the end zone playing press-man, as he was beaten slightly on a dig route but was quick enough to recover to intercept the ball thrown behind the receiver. His second came in the other role he is most comfortable in- stacking on top of a receiver going vertical, playing Cover-3 soundly, never letting the receiver get up to full speed, and taking away the ball once it arrives.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Alexander would bring a competitive fire to the Packers DB room, helping set the tone for a defense with his fearlessness and love for initiating contact. He’s very capable of playing outside, but his experience blitzing from the slot would appeal to the Packers as they look to find ways to create a pass rush, as well as to replace Damarious Randall’s snaps in the slot from 2017.

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DONTE JACKSON /// CB4

ANTHONY AVERETT /// CB5

Height: 5’10” / Weight: 178 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.32

Height: 6’00” / Weight: 185 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.36

LSU (Jr)

NFL COMBINE / 7 Bench Reps / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / 49 Tackles / 1 INT / 10 PD IN A NUT SHELL: An extremely athletic player, Jackson doesn’t get by on his physical traits alone, but also has the technique to fully utilize them, as his hips are some of the smoothest in this draft class.

He can turn and run seamlessly, can flip his hips multiple times back and forth to mirror a receiver’s fakes, and can break down and close on intermediate routes all while staying in good position. He’s capable in off-man but is most comfortable up close to the line, although he can sometimes be pushed around by bigger WRs (including at the catch point). Does a good job of coming up and playing screens and the run, but is not a solid tackler.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Jackson would present an interesting question as to how the Packers would use him should he end up in Green Bay. He’s most used to playing out wide, but Pettine may prefer larger CBs on the outside, and he isn’t an effective blitzer or run defender, so they would most likely keep him out of the slot on 1st and 2nd downs. Jackson would be a matchup defender, coming in against spread sets and matching up against shifty, smaller receivers. Depending on the opponent’s personnel, Jackson might play 10 snaps in a game or 30, but he’s more than skilled enough to see a good amount of playing time in his rookie season.

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Alabama (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 13 Bench Reps / 31.5” Vertical / 119” Broad / 4.40 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.93 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 48 Tackles / 1 INT (30 Yd) / 9 PD IN A NUT SHELL: A very, well-rounded player from the Saban defensive back factory. In coverage, he is above average in nearly every role, including in off- and press-man. He is also comfortable in short zones with a good feel for route combinations and reading the QB. He is also well above average against the run, as he is a sound tackler, avoids being blocked for the most part and when he does get blocked, actively works to get off and make a play.

There are some flaws, namely inconsistent footwork defending intermediate routes, somewhat limited athleticism, and not being as strong at the catch point as one would like, but Averett is one of the most polished prospects in this class.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Athletically speaking, the Packers would have no qualms about having Averett play outside on an island due to his great speed and adequate length, and they would also like to have his agility and effectiveness against the run in the slot where he can alternate between blitzing and covering. Drafting Averett would give Green Bay the ability to fill the hole left by Damarious Randall’s trade and upgrade the slot position, or give them another option at outside corner. Much depends on the moves made by the Green Bay front office in free agency in regards to the cornerback position.

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PARRY NICKERSON /// CB6

MIKE HUGHES /// CB7

Height: 5’10” / Weight: 182 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.32

Height: 5’10” / Weight: 191 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.53

Tulane (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 15 Bench Reps / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / 29 Tackles / 1 FF / 2 FR / 4 INT (171 Yds / 43 Avg ) / 9 PD IN A NUT SHELL: In this year’s crop of defensive backs, many stood out athletically at the combine, but none of them flashed their athleticism on tape to quite the same extent that Nickerson did. His speed and agility manifested themselves everywhere from getting around blocks, to chasing down ball carriers, to catching up to receivers who thought they had him beat. He has the ideal level of functional physicality and plays stronger than he looks.

Has very smooth hips and can turn back to play short and intermediate routes very easily. He had his fair share of plays where he was beaten early on in the route, but in almost every situation where he got out of position early, his elite speed was able to get him back into the play.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Green Bay has made a push recently to add speed to their secondary (Kevin King, Josh Jones) and Nickerson would add an entirely new level to this. He is most comfortable in pressman, and despite his lack of size is more than capable of competing at the catch point. Although smaller than Green Bay prefers, he has the physical tools to be a primary backup on the outside as a rookie, and would likely also play numerous snaps in the slot, pushing to be Randall’s full-time replacement.

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UCF (Jr)

NFL COMBINE / 20 Bench Reps / 35.5” Vertical / 127” Broad / 4.13 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.70 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 49 Tackles / 4 INT (91 Yd / 23 Avg) / 1 FF / 9 PD / 1 Blocked Kick IN A NUT SHELL: Hughes is one of the more well-rounded players in coverage in this class. Can smoothly transition from backpedal to turning and running, moves well horizontally from both press and off-man, and possesses a good feel for zone coverage. He does not close especially quickly on routes broken off at short and intermediate distances but generally has good enough technique to not need to close much distance regardless. On top of his skills in coverage, he also loves to initiate contact and set the tone, both by dominating the blocker across from him as well as bringing the wood every time he gets a chance to hit a running back or checkdown receiver.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hughes truly does play with an attitude that can’t help but infect the teammates around him. On top of the physicality, his play style is reminiscent of Tramon Williams’ in the sense that they both mirrored WRs extremely well and possessed great movement skills. Hughes excelled out wide in college, so the Packers would be best suited to giving him reps at boundary CB before trying anything else.

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HOLTON HILL /// CB8

ISAIAH OLIVER /// CB9

Height: 6’02” / Weight: 200 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.49

Height: 6’00” / Weight: 201 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.50

Texas (Jr)

NFL COMBINE / 14 Bench Reps / 31” Vertical / 120” Broad / 4.15 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.83 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 51 Tackles / 1 FF / 2 INT (76 Yds / 38 Avg) / 6 PD IN A NUT SHELL: Possibly the best cornerback in this class against the run, Hill uses his 6’2, 200lb frame to his advantage in a variety of ways.

Not only does he hit extremely hard, set the edge well, and jack up blockers on a consistent basis, he also uses his size and length to reroute receivers and throw off the offense’s timing when he’s in press-man. This physicality results in flags, but his hips are too stiff at times to get away with not needing to grab. Hill is adequate in both off man and press man, but what he brings to the table in the run game offsets his limitations in coverage.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: With his size, Hill’s best utilization at the next level might almost be as a big slot defender or strong safety hybrid. Playing up over the slot would keep him close to the action against the run, whereas it would also provide him help to both sides and over the top if he faces a shiftier than average slot receiver.

The Packers would love his size, and their opponents would not relish the thought of throwing against the size of both King and Hill on a regular basis.

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Colorado (Jr)

NFL COMBINE / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / 27 Tackles / 4 INT (10.3 Yd/Avg) / 2 PD

IN A NUT SHELL: Oliver is a very versatile player, especially for a team that wants to emphasize man coverage. Oliver is capable of playing both off- and press- man almost equally well, and is especially good at defending vertical routes. He uses his hands well throughout the route to maintain position on the WR, sometimes to the point where he risks being flagged. He is a plus player against the run, but is not nearly as good covering short routes as he is matching up down the field. His ball skills are good, not great, but he does play physically through the receiver at the catch point to do whatever he can to interfere with the process of the catch.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: A top priority for the Packers is preventing big plays, and Oliver fits this as his specialty is defending vertical routes. He fits the size profile that the Packers are looking for and his presence on the field would also help bolster the run defense due to his capabilities in that area. Although he didn’t run an especially fast 40, his time is more than satisfactory and there’s no lack of athleticism to be seen from watching the tape.

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GREG STROMAN /// CB10

MJ STEWART /// CB11

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 182 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.48

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 200 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.54

VIrginia Tech (Sr)

UNC (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 16 Bench Reps / 33.5” Vertical / 113” Broad / 4.45 20-Yard Shuttle

NFL COMBINE / 18 Bench Reps / 35” Vertical / 118” Broad / 4.28 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.9 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / 20 Tackles / 4 INT (47 Yds / 11.8 Avg) / 15 PD / 35 Punt Ret (11.3 Yd/Avg)

2017 STATS / 45 Tackles / 12 PD / 15 Punt Ret (170 Yd / 11.3 Avg)

IN A NUT SHELL: Stroman is an instinctive, passionate football player whose intensity shows through in his gameplay and infects his teammates. He has mastered the fundamentals of the game, from being a sound tackler to possessing good footwork in coverage to possessing an understanding of what the opposing offense is trying to do and how to stop it. On tape, he comes across as a decent but limited athlete, but he also has a penchant for making plays and being in the right place at the right time.

He’s capable of playing on both sides as well as in the slot or in a strong safety role if need be, but his performance primarily at corner indicates that his future may be at the same position that he’s excelled at in college.

IN A NUT SHELL: Stewart differs from the majority of the other defenders in this list due to the nature of his alignment and the role he played in his team’s defense. Although Stewart did play a significant number of snaps as an outside corner (almost always in offman coverage), the majority of his slots in 2017 came in the slot. He was used as almost an extra linebacker, meaning that he was trusted to be effective against the run. However, in the film watched, Stewart did not flash great instincts in coverage and was occasionally slightly out of position.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: In past years, the Packers have always placed a premium on adding high intelligence football players, in large part due to the complexity of Dom Capers’ scheme. Although new DC Pettine may not emphasize football IQ as much, Stroman’s leadership and football instincts can’t hurt. Stroman could get some work as a rotational nickel corner, and would provide great depth should a starting DB go down with an injury.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Stewart has plenty of experience in the slot and it’s a reasonable guess that the Packers would want him to play there as well.

He is assignment-sound and would be a vocal leader on the team, but Green Bay would not want to rely on him to match up against shifty slots. He can play in both the run game and the pass game if he’s matched up on possession WRs, move TEs, and running backs, so keeping him in the slot would protect him and allow him to thrive in that role.

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/// CORNERBACK QUENTIN MEEKS /// CB13 Stanford (Jr)

For those teams that don’t get a shot at Josh Jackson but are looking for a physically comparable cornerback, Quenton Meeks fits the mold. At almost 6’2 and 197lbs and running a 6.72 3-cone with a 39 inch vertical, he checks almost all the physical boxes, and his play style mirrors that fact. He is most comfortable in press-man, redirecting WRs and stifling anything shorter than 20 yards. Against the run, he sheds blocks viciously and hits like a player 20 pounds heavier. The biggest question involves his long speed.

DARIUS PHILLIPS /// CB14 Western Michigan (rSr)

Despite Phillips’ lack of size (just under 5’10, 188), he shows absolutely no fear in mixing it up at the line of scrimmage, racking up pass breakups on slants and out routes at a prodigious rate. His quick-twitch ability allows him to make plays on short routes that most CBs can’t, and his football IQ and route recognition only help. In addition to being tenacious in coverage, he refuses to give up on any play of any kind, as shown in his touchdown against Michigan State where he jumped over a would-be blocker, stayed on his feet, pursued the RB from behind, ripped the ball out, and scooped it up and returned it 40 yards for the score.

CARLTON DAVIS /// CB15 Auburn (Jr)

LEVI WALLACE /// CB12 Alabama (Sr)

Height: 6’00” / Weight: 183 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.63 NFL COMBINE / 33” Vertical / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / 48 Tackles / 3 INT (66 Yds / 22 Avg) / 15 PD IN A NUT SHELL: Wallace, like Averett, is a very well coached athlete. The only things preventing him from being higher in these rankings are his poor athletic measurables, which, if not improved upon at Alabama’s pro day, might have NFL teams thinking of Wallace as a safety. He is very assignment sound with just the right amount of physicality in coverage. This carries over to when the ball is in the air, as Wallace always challenges the catch point. He is also an effective contributor in the run game. His flaws are likely related to his athleticism questions, as he occasionally exhibited poor balance and poor change of direction clicking and closing on shorter routes.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Wallace would help provide much-needed depth for the Packers, especially if he does also start getting reps at safety.

A competent backup is something that all teams need at all positions, and Wallace could easily step into a spot-starting role if a starting DB went down. Wallace ideally would not be asked to play all alone on an island, but he should be able to handle the majority of WRs in the NFL without getting embarrassed too badly. Unless he significantly improves on his athletic testing at the Alabama pro day, his ceiling in the league is most likely as a solid backup.

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Davis is built like a prototypical NFL cornerback, checking off all the size and physicality boxes. Playing in a conference like the SEC, his ability to play the run was tested early and often, and he responded well through sound tackling and fighting through blockers consistently. His relative lack of interceptions may concern some, but for other organizations that prefer a “preventer” type CB, he’s just what they’re looking for.

RASHAAN GAULDEN /// CB16 Tennessee (rJr)

Not only does Gaulden bring to the table an extensive skillset and experience at multiple different positions, he also brings the “it” factor of being in the right place at the right time to make plays on the ball.

Gaulden has the experience and the capability to play anywhere on the back end of a defense, although his 4.61 40 time may lead to NFL teams considering him only at safety.

BRANDON FACYSON /// CB18 Virginia Tech (rSr)

Facyson plays with the attitude that teams look for in a cornerback- the mentality of thinking it’s him against the world… and he expects to win.

He responds very well after giving up plays, playing sharper and not dwelling on past mistakes. His footwork leaves something to be desired, but he’s capable of stacking receivers running downfield as well as driving on short in-breakers to throw off the offense’s rhythm.

KEVIN TOLIVER /// CB18 LSU (Jr)

Although not nearly as smooth or polished as his fellow LSU corner entering the draft this year, Toliver is capable of making plays and making his presence known all on his own. Toliver is a physical and willing hitter, and in coverage makes a living keeping his hands on WRs and running their routes with them. He’s handsy enough to risk the occasional penalty and his footwork could use some work, but his production is intriguing enough to consider taking a look at in the mid or late rounds.

SIRAN NEAL /// CB19 Jacksonville State (Sr)

Although Neal may not have faced the same level of competition that many others on this list did, he stood out against the competition that he did play. When lined up in the slot, he was able to make his impact felt in the run game, often literally so, with big hits and solid tackling.

He’s also capable of smothering slot receivers when in press coverage, using his hands to redirect them and getting a feel for the route they’ll run so he can cut it off. He also lined up at safety, and his versatility will appeal to many teams.

JC JACKSON /// CB20 Utah (rJr)

Jackson aggressively looks to make an impact in both the run and screen game. He fights through blocks well, and tackles with good tenacity and fundamentals when he gets to the ball. He also has very good instincts in coverage, knowing when to pass off a WR and when to jump something underneath. Could excel in a primarily zone and pattern match scheme at the next level.

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Position Analysis by:

///

Erik Fretland

Minkah Fitzpatrick

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///

Alabama – Jr

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/// SAFETY S1........... MINKAH

FITZPATRICK Alabama....................................................................153 S2........... JESSIE BATES Wake Forest.................................................................................... 154 S3........... DERWIN JAMES Florida State...............................................................................155 S4........... DESHON ELLIOTT Texas.....................................................................................156 S5........... JORDAN WHITEHEAD Pitt..............................................................................156 S6........... DAMON WEBB Ohio State...................................................................................... 157 S7........... GODWIN IGWEBUIKE Northwestern............................................................... 157 S8........... NATRELL JAMERSON Wisconsin................................................................... 158 S9........... TERRELL EDMUNDS Virginia Tech................................................................. 158 S10........... MARCUS ALLEN Penn State.................................................................................159 S11........... QUIN BLANDING Virginia.....................................................................................159 S12........... RONNIE HARRISON Alabama........................................................................... 160 S13........... JUSTIN REID Stanford.............................................................................................. 160 S14........... DANE CRUIKSHANK Arizona........................................................................... 160 S15........... DOMINICK SANDERS Georgia......................................................................... 160 S16........... KYZIR WHITE West Virginia.................................................................................. 160 S17........... TROY APKE Penn State............................................................................................. 160 S18........... TRE FLOWERS Oklahoma State............................................................................ 160 S19........... VAN SMITH Clemson................................................................................................ 160 S20........... ARMANI WATTS Texas A&M.............................................................................. 160 /// ADDITIONAL PLAYERS (NOT FEATURED)

S21........... MAX

REDFIELD Indiana University of Pennsylvania S22........... KAMERON KELLY San Diego State S23........... JAMAR SUMMERS Connecticut S24........... STEPHEN ROBERTS Auburn S25........... JOSHUA KALU Nebraska

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152

HIGHLIGHTS

MINKAH FITZPATRICK /// S1 Alabama (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’0” / Weight: 204 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.46 NFL COMBINE / 14 Bench Reps / 33” Vertical / 121” Broad 2017 STATS / 60 Tackles / 8 TFL / 1.5 Sacks / 1 FF / 1 INT (0 Yds) / 8 PD IN A NUT SHELL: Minkah Fitzpatrick is the perfect example of what teams are looking for in a hybrid slot/safety. Throughout his college career much of his experience came playing over the slot, but later in his career Alabama deployed him in a wider variety of ways including as an in-the-box safety, an edge rushing linebacker, and a deep safety. Fitzpatrick is the rare jack of all trades, master of all trades. He is assignment-sound no matter where he is on the field, tackles consistently well, can be used in a variety of ways from any given alignment, and has a high level of football intelligence.

Aside from being one of the most effective pass-rushing college defensive backs in 2017, he excels in a wide variety of coverages, ranging from press-man to off-man to recognizing the proper reads in Saban’s pattern matching defense. He consistently dominates blockers and is a force in the run game. Some of the only question marks are his technique in press-man, and whether or not he can be as effective in a full-time deep-middle safety role should a team have a need there.

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BEST GAME: TEXAS A&M (2017) Fitzpatrick’s best game in 2017 came against SEC rival Texas A&M. Not only did he get his only interception of the season, he also forced a fumble and had two tackles for loss in the run game, a pass breakup, and 5 total tackles.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Minkah Fitzpatrick is the rare prospect that should in no universe be available to a team picking 14th. He is good enough at a position of need strong enough that the Packers couldn’t be blamed for trading up for him. He can match up with almost any slot WR in almost any coverage, could help them create a pass rush through more effective blitzes, and would be a massive upgrade in the run game over the recently-departed Damarious Randall.

Although it’s extremely unlikely that he would fall that far, Fitzpatrick’s addition to the Green Bay defense might alone be enough to take the defense’s performance to the next level.

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JESSIE BATES /// S2 Wake Forest (rJr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’1” / Weight: 200 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.50 NFL COMBINE / 35.5” Vertical / 117” Broad / 4.26 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.78 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 72 Tackles / 5.5 TFL / 1 FF / 1 INT (37 Yds) / 5 PD IN A NUT SHELL: Bates is a versatile safety who played in a variety of alignments at Wake Forest. He played predominantly as a deep middle free safety and as a Cover-4 safety deep over the slot receiver. He received fewer opportunities to make plays against the pass than against the run, but in those opportunities, he stood out in underneath zone coverage, diagnosing route combos, reading the quarterback well, and driving on shorter routes. In off-man, he possesses smooth hips and good speed to run with receivers downfield, as well as decent ball tracking abilities. When playing the deep middle zone, he is particularly good at recognizing and breaking on post routes and deep in-breakers.

Where Bates truly stands out is against the run. From the deep middle, he mirrors the running back very well and identifies which hole he needs to fill, then comes up and locks down the ball carrier firmly. He hits with a good amount of power, but more importantly than that, he tackles with great technique and takes great pursuit angles.

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BEST GAMES: FLORIDA STATE / CLEMSON (2017) Bates stepped up to the level of competition faced by Wake Forest, saving his two highest tackle outputs of the season for the Florida State and Clemson games. In the FSU game, he tallied 14 total tackles in addition to 2 passes defensed, and in the Clemson game, he racked up 10 total tackles.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Bates’ best position is as a safety across from HaHa Clinton-Dix, where they can alternate between playing deep middle, deep half, in the box, and occasionally in the slot. This would provide a ton of versatility to the defense and add an extremely solid tackler to the back end. With Morgan Burnett headed to Pittsburgh, Bates and Clinton-Dix would alternate playing deep and close to the line with Josh Jones playing more of a rover role. Either way, Bates would be worth serious consideration from Green Bay starting in the second round.

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HIGHLIGHTS

DERWIN JAMES /// S3 Florida State (rSo) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’2” / Weight: 215 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.47 NFL COMBINE / 21 Bench Reps / 40” Vertical / 132” Broad 2017 STATS / 84 Tackles / 4 TFL / 2 Sacks / 2 INT (20.5 Yd/Avg) / 11 PD / 1 Kick Blocked IN A NUT SHELL: Human beings like Derwin James don’t come around often, and his coaches at Florida State recognized that, using him at almost every defensive position in order to maximize his athleticism and football IQ. He played all over the field, taking reps at deep-middle and deep-half safety, in the slot, at outside linebacker and even at edge rusher. At worst, he was competent at all of them, and at best, he was impossible to game plan for and consistently ended up finding the ball and making life difficult for offenses. He rarely played man coverage, but in zone he looked instinctive and rallied quickly to the ball in all areas of the field. He was nearly as effective a blitzer as Fitzpatrick, and is even more physical, capable of blowing up blockers in both the run and pass game. His athleticism stood out most in his short area quickness and agility to make tackles in the short and intermediate areas of the field.

NFL COMBINE: Derwin James chose to not complete a full combine workout, but the numbers he posted were indicative of a top-tier athlete.

His height and weight were in the 86th and 89th percentile for

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all DBs since 1999, yet his 40 time (4.47 seconds) was well above average (68th percentile) and his vertical (40’’) and broad jump (11’00”) were in the 91st and 96th percentile. When considering the fact that he’ll almost certainly get some reps at linebacker in the NFL, these athleticism numbers become even more freakish, and seem to indicate that he would thrive in a weakside/ slot/coverage linebacker role similar to Myles Jack’s role in Jacksonville.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: If James somehow were to fall to Green Bay, he possesses the athletic traits to play at any of Green Bay’s multiple positions of need on defense. He could easily transition to a Josh Jones-esque hybrid linebacker role or a Morgan Burnett/Micah Hyde role over the slot/in the box, or with a bit more imagination, could even take reps at outside corner in training camp and preseason to see if he could fill that role. He possesses the athletic measurables that Green Bay requires in their cornerbacks, and if it worked out, it would kill two birds with one stone by addressing the Packers’ biggest need and putting their top draft pick in the most impactful position possible.

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/// SAFETY

DESHON ELLIOT /// S4

JORDAN WHITEHEAD /// S5

Height: 6’01” / Weight: 210 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.58

Height: 5’10” / Weight: 198 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

Texas (Jr)

Pitt (Jr)

NFL COMBINE / 15 Bench Reps / 36" Vertical / 121" Broad

NFL COMBINE / 21 Bench Reps / DNP in other events

2017 STATS / 63 Tackles / 8.5 TFL / 1.5 Sacks / 3 FF / 1 FR / 6 INT (21 Yd/Avg) / 9 PD

2017 STATS (9 GAMES) / 60 Tackles / 0 TFL / 1 FR / 1 INT (0 Yd) / 4 PD / 22 Rushes / 142 Yds (6.5 Ypc)

IN A NUT SHELL: Elliott is a more traditional coverage safety than many of the other safeties in this class. His specialty is diagnosing routes and driving on the ball in the air from both the deep half and underneath alignments. He can hold up against the run, but can certainly improve in this area as he was not especially physical taking on blockers or an eager tackler. However, he makes up for any deficiencies in the run game with his instincts in the pass game, as he has a very good feel for what routes he’ll be facing. He’s aggressive driving on short routes and can close well on underneath crossers, and is a confident tackler against short passes, if not necessarily a big hitter.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Drafting Elliott would give the Packers the flexibility to move Clinton-Dix closer to the line of scrimmage more frequently, where he has historically looked more comfortable. Elliott would step into the role of deep coverage safety, playing singlehigh safety at times and occasionally rotating down to play over the slot if necessary. He was still recovering from a hamstring injury at the combine, so the agility numbers he posts at the UT pro day will determine if he’s a feasible option to spend more time in the slot.

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IN A NUT SHELL: Drafting Jordan Whitehead comes with a higher degree of uncertainty, due mostly to his three-game suspension at the beginning of 2017 for violating team rules and his inability to run at the combine due to minor injury.

However, these questions can be overlooked for a team looking for a safety who can immediately upgrade their run defense.

Whitehead looks like a heat-seeking missile when playing the run from a single-high alignment, identifying the proper alley to fill and showing the ability to both make huge hits and tackle with good technique. He appears to have the athleticism to play deep centerfield effectively, but the tape showed coverage busts and inconsistency in maintaining a coverage shell. Any team drafting him will take him for his effectiveness in the run game while hoping to develop his coverage ability over time.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Whitehead brings an attitude that Green Bay’s current starting free safety (Clinton-Dix) is lacking. Whitehead may not be solid enough in coverage to be a Day 1 starter, but he’s too impactful against the run to not see meaningful snaps on early downs.

His athletic testing numbers will determine whether he can be a full-time slot player.

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DAMON WEBB /// S6

GODWIN IGWEBUIKE /// S7

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 209 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.62

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 213 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.44

Ohio State (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 17 Bench Reps / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / 61 Tackles / 2 TFL / 2 FR / 3 PD / 5 INT (15 Yd /Avg) IN A NUT SHELL: A former cornerback, Webb alternated between playing in the deep middle and in the slot for Bucky in 2017. Webb looked more athletic on tape than his 4.62 40 would indicate, so his pro day performance will be important for his draft stock. He is comfortable in both man and deep middle zone coverage, sticking with receivers well from the slot and reacting well to screens and pick plays. He possesses solid range when playing the deep middle and is more comfortable playing the receiver than the ball in the air. He also held his own in the run game, making solid tackles and getting off blocks well.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Webb has proved that he can play in the slot and hold up in both the run and the pass game, so his most straightforward path to playing time in Green Bay may be as a slot corner.

However, he is sound enough in coverage and a reliable enough tackler to be considered for the free safety spot, assuming Pettine and McCarthy want to move Clinton-Dix closer to the line of scrimmage in hopes of helping him regain his 2015 form. Like multiple other safeties in this class, his athletic testing numbers will be very important.

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Northwestern (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 19 Bench Reps / 35.5’’ Vertical / 128” Broad / 4.12 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.56 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / 78 Tackles / 1.5 TFL / 1 FF / 1 FR / 11 PD / 2 INT (3 Yd/Avg) IN A NUT SHELL: Igwebuike’s main role in 2017 was as a deep centerfield safety, where his athleticism and range could be maximized while also utilizing his sound tackling as a last line of defense. He profiles well to a traditional Cover-1/3 safety in the NFL, as his speed and change of direction skills give him the requisite range for that role. He possesses solid ball skills and is also effective in coverage when closer to the line playing underneath zones. In limited reps, he also showed the capability to run with slot receivers in man coverage. Against the run, he uses his stout build well and is a reliable open-field tackler, although he doesn’t frequently deliver the big hits that his size and strength would indicate he’s capable of.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: As mentioned previously, it’s very possible that Green Bay would profile Igwebuike as a deep centerfield safety and give him reps there first, but upon closer examination, his threecone drill is in the 95th percentile of all defensive backs, indicating that he has the necessary agility to match up with slot receivers. Depending on the moves made in free agency and elsewhere in the draft, he could be used to fill either need.

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NATRELL JAMERSON /// S8

TERRELL EDMUNDS /// S9

Height: 5’11” / Weight: 201 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.40

Height: 6’00” / Weight: 217 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.47

Wisconsin (Sr)

Virginia Tech (rJr)

NFL COMBINE / 25 Bench Reps / 35.5 Vertical / 120" Broad

NFL COMBINE / 41.5’’ Vertical / 134” Broad

2017 STATS / 51 Tackles / 3.5 TFL / 2 Sacks / 12 PD / 2 INT (20 Yd/Avg) / 38 Career KO Ret (20.6 Yd/Avg)

2017 STATS / 59 Tackles / 2.5 TFL / 1.5 sacks / 10 PD / 2 INT (35 Yd/Avg)

IN A NUT SHELL: Jamerson played centerfield safety on passing downs and Cover-4 safety over the slot on earlier downs for the Badgers in 2017. In his first full season as a starter (and after playing WR as a freshman and CB in 2015 and 2016), Jamerson demonstrated the ability to take solid tackling angles, good instincts to react to deeper routes, and a high comfort level matching routes from the slot receiver in Cover-4 responsibilities.

His tape didn’t show quite the deep-field range that his 40 time would indicate he has, but it can be expected that he will improve significantly with more coaching at the position.

IN A NUT SHELL: Terrell Edmunds projects more to a strong safety/box role than a free safety at the next level, based on both his role at Virginia Tech and his prototypical strong safety size. He is inconsistent in deep coverage but not enough to rule him out playing on defense early in his career, and he makes enough plays breaking on routes in front of him to give hope to teams looking for him to develop as a defender against vertical routes. He can play as a slot defender in a pinch, and he is a good tackler when coming up vs short routes and on run plays. Despite his high caliber athletic ability and size, he doesn’t consistently shed blocks well and doesn’t always play to his size.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Jamerson is a jack-of-all-trades to some extent on the football field, able to play as a safety and slot corner, as well as on special teams as a kick returner and punt gunner. This gives him instant value to any NFL teams, and he’d certainly see the field in that capacity early on for the Packers. His athletic traits indicate that the Packers may try him at cornerback again before settling on a final position for him.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Terrell Edmunds compares to Josh Jones in terms of athleticism and potential role with the Packers (hybrid ILB, deep-half safety, and occasional slot defender) although he is more instinctive in coverage. Edmunds would be a solid replacement for Morgan Burnett or could be moved to free safety if the Packers coaches are confident enough in his ability to maintain coverage integrity in a deep role.

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MARCUS ALLEN /// S10

QUIN BLANDING /// S11

Height: 6’02” / Weight: 215 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a

Height: 6’02” / Weight: 207 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.63

Penn State (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 15 Bench Reps / 37" Vertical / 127" Broad / 4.32 20-Yard Shuttle 2017 STATS / 72 Tackles / 4 TFL / 1 Sack / 2 FF / 3 PD / 1 INT (50 Ret Yds)

Virginia (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 31.5’’ Vertical / 122” Broad 2017 STATS / 137 Tackles / 3.5 TFL / 2 PD / 4 INT (18 Yd/Avg)

IN A NUT SHELL: Marcus Allen is a prototypically-sized strong safety with plus athleticism, but despite playing a key role on defense for all four years for Penn State, he has not developed into an impact player in coverage. He can adequately play the deep half and man up on tight ends, but is not good enough in either area to take away options for the offense. However, he an above-average run defender and plays with good functional strength, fighting through blocks, setting the edge well and making tackles even while engaged by blockers. This physicality also manifests itself when he blitzes, as he is a tough blocking assignment for most running backs.

IN A NUT SHELL: Although the numbers that Blanding posted at the combine may have been skewed by injury (pulled hamstring on his second 40-yard dash attempt), they supported what the tape showed: a somewhat limited athlete who relies on his instincts and football IQ to put himself in position to make plays in the pass game. He does not have great range in the deep middle, nor does he have the speed to run with faster receivers in man, but he does a good job recognizing routes in underneath coverage and puts himself in position to make plays there. In the run game, he keeps blockers off himself with his hands and is a reliable tackler, especially when filling alleys in the box.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Allen would have to prove to the Packers coaches that he can cover well enough to see the field in any role responsible for deep coverage, but it’s possible that he could be used to replace Morgan Burnett in a box safety role. He would be a slight improvement over Josh Jones in coverage, but functionally they are similar enough to force a position change (to hybrid linebacker or full-time strong safety) for one of them. His quickest path to playing time for Green Bay would most likely be on special teams, where he could easily excel covering kickoffs and punts.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Like Marcus Allen and Terrell Edmunds, Blanding’s easiest path to playing time should he be drafted by the Packers would likely be through special teams. Unlike the former two, however, Blanding’s relative lack of athleticism may limit him to being anything more than a depth defensive back. He is effective enough in underneath coverage and can play the run well, but would be limited to a slot role since he does not have the range or ball skills to play a deep safety role on any consistent basis.

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/// SAFETY JUSTIN REID /// S13 Stanford (Jr)

Reid was competent playing a center field role for Stanford in 2017, reading the quarterback fairly well and possessing decent range. However, he is a liability in man coverage, showing poor footwork and slow reactions to short routes breaking in front of him. He isn’t especially physical and struggled with even smaller blockers. He does tackle well in space and his athleticism and movement skills are apparent.

DANE CRUIKSHANK /// S14 Arizona (rSr)

Cruikshank played a slot/overhang role for the Arizona defense in 2017, only rarely playing deep or in the box. In this sense, his role was similar to that of Minkah Fitzpatrick, but he possesses little of Fitzpatrick’s coverage ability or instincts. He has very good movement skills, but is not overly physical and doesn’t tackle with great technique. His great combine measurements may intrigue some teams more than his tape will.

DOMINICK SANDERS /// S15 Georgia (Sr)

Played a mostly deep centerfield for Georgia and flashed some deep coverage ability there, defending post and seam routes consistently well. Has decent range in that centerfield role but is not a game-changing coverage player.

Sanders does a good job of filling the alley from the deep middle alignment against the run but is not an overly powerful or reliable tackler.

KYZIR WHITE /// S16 West Virginia (Sr)

RONNIE HARRISON /// S12 Alabama (Jr)

Height: 6’02” / Weight: 207 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: n/a NFL COMBINE / 34 Vertical / 120" Broad 2017 STATS / 74 Tackles / 4.5 TFL / 2.5 sacks / 4 PD / 3 INT (2.3 Yd/Avg) IN A NUT SHELL: Ronnie Harrison benefited from being part of a defense that consistently got pressure on opposing quarterbacks and had competent cover cornerbacks across the board, meaning his flaws were exposed less frequently than other safeties with comparable talent levels in other, less favorable defensive environments. He played mostly in a deep centerfield/single-high role in 2017, although he occasionally rotated down to match up with tight ends. He did not demonstrate anything better than average range in the deep field, although he did perform well covering tight ends in the box. He is also not especially effective against the run, often taking poor angles and using sloppy tackling technique. He does diagnose plays well and is very assignment sound, as would be expected from a Saban defensive back.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Harrison would be a liability if asked to match up with slot receivers on a consistent basis, but if asked to always play in the box and match up with tight ends, he isn’t strong enough against the run to be a plus defender in that role either. He could be an effective sixth or seventh defensive back on passing downs if only asked to play a deep half role, where his lack of range is protected by the defensive scheme, or an underneath zone, where he would be able to use his route recognition to jump routes and take away primary reads for the offense.

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White is a physical player with plus athleticism, but his tape showed a player that will be limited to playing near the line of scrimmage. The further away from the box White got, the poorer his tackling angles became. In coverage, he has good instincts in underneath zones and has a good feel for his drops but doesn’t always recognize route combos well.

He is tough to block and pursues plays through the whistle. Can make big hits in the run game and is a reliable tackler.

TROY APKE /// S17 Penn State (Sr)

Apke drew the attention of NFL personnel evaluators with a historically good combine, but he also showed enough on tape to indicate the potential to earn playing time early in his NFL career as a rotational defensive back. He identifies run alleys well and sorts through trash to get to the ball carrier, and possesses more than enough athleticism to perform well at almost any position in an NFL defense.

TRE FLOWERS /// S18 Oklahoma State (rSr)

Flowers was a key role player for the OSU defense in helping contain the prolific offenses of the Big 12. For a larger player (6’3’’, 202), he possesses great movement skills, running well with slot receivers downfield and accelerating smoothly. He may get looks as a centerfield safety in the NFL.

VAN SMITH /// S19 Clemson (Jr)

Smith possesses the versatility to line up in the deep middle, over the slot, or over a tight end in the box. He has good instincts at the catch point, playing the receiver well and staying in position. However, he is a limited athlete, which shows itself in one-on-one tackling situations, as well as when he’s matched up with faster receivers. He’s a decent tackler but rarely can prevent the running back from falling forward.

ARMANI WATTS /// S20 Texas A&M (Sr)

Watts actually has decent coverage instincts, both in deep coverage and in underneath zones, although doesn’t jump out as a great athlete on tape. However, what does jump out on tape is the fact that Watts is an absolute liability against the run. He does not consistently break down to tackle or shed blocks well and is often controlled by the blocker. Making matters worse, Watts doesn’t consistently pick the right angle or the right alley to fill. Any team drafting him would have to envision him only playing on passing downs for the early part of his career.

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Position Analysis by:

///

Jake Stack

Daniel Carlson

///

Auburn – Sr

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161

/// KICKER K1........... DANIEL

CARLSON Auburn..................................................................................163 K2........... EDDY PINEIRO Florida............................................................................................163 K3........... MICHAEL BADGLEY Miami.............................................................................. 164 K4........... MATTHEW MCCRANE Kansas State............................................................. 164 K5........... DREW BROWN Nebraska.......................................................................................165 K6........... ERIK POWELL Washington State............................................................................165 K7........... GRIFFIN OAKES Indiana....................................................................................... 166 K8........... AUSTIN MacGINNIS Kentucky......................................................................... 166 K9........... AIDAN SCHNEIDER Oregon................................................................................ 167 K10........... ANDY PAPPANASTOS Alabama..................................................................... 167

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/// KICKER

HIGHLIGHTS

DANIEL CARLSON /// K1

EDDY PINEIRO /// K2

2017 STATS / 23/31 FG (6/8 40+, 4/8 50+) / Long of 54 / 57/57 PAT / 126 Pts / 65 TB on 93 KO (63.39 Avg) / 1 Kick Out of Bounds

2017 STATS / 17/18 FG, Long of 50 / 75 Pts / 24/26 PAT / 39 TB on 50 KO (64.04 Avg) / 2 Kicks Out of Bounds

IN A NUT SHELL: Carlson traveled a long way from Colorado Springs to play at Auburn, but the journey was worth as he left one of the most decorated kickers in recent memory. Carlson became the Tigers’ all-time leading scorer, as well as the leading scorer in SEC history. On the way, he became a two-time All-American and three-time finalist for the Lou Groza award honoring the top kicker in college football. Carlson has a large frame for a kicking position and translates that size and athleticism into a booming leg. Regularly trusted throughout his career by the Auburn coaching staff on kicks 50+ yards, Carlson delivered, finishing his career 12-19 from that range. Combining his size, accuracy, and leg strength, Carlson should hear his name called late Day 2 to early Day 3 range.

IN A NUT SHELL: A rare kicker to declare early for the draft, Pineiro burst onto the scene in 2016. After spending his first year of college eligibility playing soccer at ASA community college in Miami, Pineiro then shifted his focus to American football at the University of Florida. The Gators are undoubtedly grateful he did, leaving as the most accurate field goal kicker in school history (minimum of 35 attempts) at 88.4%. Accuracy may not even be Pineiro’s best trait; Pineiro possesses one of the most powerful legs in college football. Leading the FBS with an average of 64.8 yards per kickoff in 2016 (64.04 in 2017). Pineiro finished his college career making his last 17 field goals, meaning he has his arrow pointing in the right direction.

Auburn (Sr) Height: 6’05” / Weight: 213 lbs.

BEST GAME: LSU (2016) There are a lot of games to choose from as Carlson regularly displayed his strength and accuracy dating back to Sept. 24, 2016, Carlson’s junior year against LSU. That day. he went 6/6 with a long of 51 to defeat the LSU Tigers 18-13, setting a school record with kicks made in a game in the process.

Florida (rS0) Height: 6’00” / Weight: 185 lbs.

BEST GAME: UAB (2017) In a blowout win against UAB in 2017 Pineiro went 5/5, most impressively hitting 2/2 from 50+ making him the first kicker in UF history to knock two through the uprights in the same game from over 50 yards. In his very first college football game against UMass in 2016 Pineiro hit all three of his attempts from the 40-49 range.

Carlson also had two other noteworthy games in his senior year, knocking eight kicks through the uprights on two occasions. Carlson went 3/3 on field goals with a long of 49, and 5/5 on PATS against Ole Miss. He also kicked 4/4 on field goals with a long 54, and 3/3 on PATS against Georgia.

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/// KICKER

MICHAEL BADGLEY /// K3

MATTHEW MCCRANE /// K4

2017 STATS / 17/23 FG / Long of 50 / 45/46 PAT / 96 Pts / 32 TB on 75 KO (63.05 Avg) / 3 Kicks Out of Bounds

2017 STATS / 21/26 FG / Long of 54 / 48/48 PAT / 111 Pts / 33 TB on 63 KO (61.06 Avg) / 1 Kick Out of Bounds

IN A NUT SHELL: Badgley was a recruited kicker out of Fort Union Military Academy in Summit New Jersey. Badgley left the University of Miami as their all-time leader in field goals made with 77, as well as their single-season record holder for made field goals with 25. He attempted a kick in all four years on campus. In his senior year, Badgley was a finalist for the Lou Groza award, as well first-team All-ACC, the third all-conference distinction of his career. Badgley took a bit of a step back his senior season making 73.9% of his field goals, well below his career average of 81.8. Going 2/2 on game-winning field goals in his career, Badgley’s body of work may merit a late Day 3 draft selection.

IN A NUT SHELL: McCrane passed long-time NFL kicker Martin Gramatica as Kansas State's all-time leader in field goals made (57). He leaves the Wildcats as their all-time leader in field goal percentage (86.4) and extra point percentage (99.3). McCrane also tied the school record for 50+ field goals made (5). Possibly McCrane’s most impressive feat was putting 105 consecutive PAT’s through the uprights. McCrane was also the only kicker in program history to earn three all-conference honors. While McCrane may lack in size even for the kicker position, he has shown the ability to make big kicks late in games, and has enough leg to be a weapon from multiple ranges. He can expect to be in an NFL camp competing for a job come fall.

Miami (Sr) Height: 5’10” / Weight: 180 lbs.

BEST GAME: GEORGIA TECH (2017) In a come from behind win against Georgia Tech last season, Badgley went 4/4, scoring the last 9 points of the game, including a game-winner with 4 seconds left.

Kansas State (Sr) Height: 5’10” / Weight: 165 lbs.

In 2015, he set a school record with five field goals made against Nebraska as Miami blew a 23-point lead, putting the game on Badgley’s foot in overtime, where he delivered with a 28-yarder to win the game.

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/// KICKER

DREW BROWN /// K5

ERIK POWELL /// K6

2017 STATS / 12/14 FG / Long of 44 / 37/37 PAT / 73 Pts / 28 TB on 60 KO (62.05 Avg) / 1 Kick Out of Bounds

2017 STATS / 20/24 FG / Long of 56 / 47/48 PAT / 106 Pts / 31 TB on 68 KO (62.09 Avg) / 1 Kick Out of Bounds

IN A NUT SHELL: The younger brother of former NFL kicker Kris Brown, Drew traveled from Southlake, TX to kick for the Cornhuskers. After four years, Brown exited the Nebraska program second in school history with 59 field goals made, and fourth in school history with 355 career points. A three-time all-Big Ten selection, Brown's most appealing attributes are his consistency and accuracy. Brown appeared in all 51 games during his collegiate career, never missing a PAT. Brown does not possess the leg of some of the other kickers in this class; his career-long is only 51 yards and Brown only attempted six 50+ kicks in his career (2-6). Brown should be with a team in the fall and will have to prove that he can be a threat from 50+ to give himself a chance to stick on an NFL roster.

IN A NUT SHELL: Powell came to WSU as a walk-on and left third all-time in field goals made in school history (51). He put together a very nice career, capped off with a stellar senior year where Powell was honored with all-conference honors as well as being named a finalist for the Lou Garza Award. Powell also showed some ability as a punter at Washington State, punting 29 times for an average of 43.6 and a long of 68 (11 punts 50+ yards). This type of versatility will no doubt be appealing to NFL teams and Powell should have every opportunity to win a job in the NFL next fall.

Nebraska (Sr) Height: 5’10” / Weight: 208 lbs.

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Washington State (Sr) Height: 6’01” / Weight: 201 lbs.

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/// KICKER

GRIFFIN OAKES /// K7

AUSTIN MacGINNIS /// K8

2017 STATS / 16/17 FG / Long of 51 / 38/39 PAT / 102 Pts / 30 TB on 62 KO (61.98 Avg) / 2 Kicks Out of Bounds

2017 STATS / 22/28 FG / Long of 53 / 36/36 PAT / 90 Pts / 42 TB on 71 KO (59.65 Avg) / 1 Kick Out of Bounds

IN A NUT SHELL: From Greenwood, Indiana, Oakes stayed local and attended Indiana University where he left as the all-time leader in field goals made (69) and PAT’s made (147). Oakes is the only kicker in Indiana history to be named first-team all-Big Ten twice.

With a career long of 58, Oakes attempted ten 50+ field goals in his career, making three. A 30% field goal percentage from that range may be underwhelming, but Oakes brings a lot of value as a kickoff specialist. Oakes also converted 6/9 onside kick attempts while averaging a respectable 61.98 yards on kickoffs. He is a dependable kicker who improved his accuracy each year at Indiana. Oakes should be in a camp competing for a role this fall.

IN A NUT SHELL: MacGinnis finished his career as Memphis’ all-time leading scorer and has been mentioned as a potential candidate to have his number retired. MacGinnis dealt with a nagging groin injury his sophomore year, and may have flown under the radar a bit because if it. MacGinnis appears to have the clutch gene as he has kicked multiple game winners for the Wildcats in his time on campus. Coach Mark Stoops had a lot of confidence in his senior kicker “For a game-winner, I’d be comfortable probably—depending on the wind—if we had to go 57, 58 (yards) maybe. I’ve seen him kick 60 in practice.”

That is the type of confidence MacGinnis can instill to earn a kicking job on Sundays.

Indiana (Sr) Height: 5’10” / Weight: 198 lbs.

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Kentucky (Sr) Height: 5’10” / Weight: 185 lbs.

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/// KICKER

AIDAN SCHNEIDER /// K9

ANDY PAPPANASTOS /// K10

2017 STATS / 9/12 FG/ Long of 42 / 63/63 PAT / 90 Pts / 42 TB on 84 KO (62 Avg) / 0 Kicks Out of Bounds

2017 STATS / 18/25 FG / Long of 46 / 56/56 PAT / 110 Pts / (JK Scott handled kickoffs)

IN A NUT SHELL: The Portland native’s best season was his sophomore year in 2015, when he was voted first team all-Pac-12 and third team all-American. Schneider leaves Oregon as the all-time leader in field goal percentage (85.0) and field goals made (51). The trait that separates Schneider from other kickers in this class is his size. He's as big as an NFL linebacker, which could help him hold up to injuries at the next level. Schneider was a bit underutilized on college but showed that he is an accurate kicker with an NFL leg. Given the opportunity, he may surprise and find himself with an NFL kicking job next fall.

IN A NUT SHELL: A high school all-American, Pappanastos was a very highly sought-after recruit who initially chose to kick at Ole Miss.

After transferring to the University of Alabama, Pappanastos had an up-and-down career. He may be most well-known for missing a game-winning field goal against Georgia in the 2017 College Football Playoff Championship Game. Pappanastos may not have completely lived up to the hype in college, but he still possesses the tools to be a very good kicker in the NFL. He will likely get a chance to prove that in training camp for an NFL team next fall.

Oregon (Sr) Height: 6’04” / Weight: 240 lbs.

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Alabama (Sr) Height: 5’11” / Weight: 190 lbs.

167

P

Position Analysis by:

///

Jake Stack

Michael Dickson

///

Texas – Jr

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168

/// PUNTER P1........... MICHAEL

DICKSON Texas..................................................................................170 P2........... JOHNNY TOWNSEND Florida..........................................................................170 P3........... TREVOR DANIEL Tennessee.................................................................................. 171 P4........... JK SCOTT Alabama....................................................................................................... 171 P5........... SHANE TRIPUCKA Texas A&M........................................................................... 172 P6........... RYAN WINSLOW Pitt............................................................................................ 172 P7........... JOSEPH DAVIDSON Bowling Green.................................................................. 173 P8........... COREY BOJORQUEZ New Mexico..................................................................... 173 P9........... MICHAEL CARRIZOSA San José State............................................................. 174 P10........... CAMERON NIZIALEK Georgia........................................................................... 174

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/// PUNTER

MICHAEL DICKSON /// P1

JOHNNY TOWNSEND /// P2

2017 STATS / 84 Punts / 47.4 Gross Avg / 42 Inside 20 / 8 Tb / Long of 76

2017 STATS / 64 Punts / 47.5 Gross Avg / 28 Inside 20 / 5 Tb / Long of 70

IN A NUT SHELL: Dickson, who hails from Sydney, Australia is a previous Australian Rules football player who took his talents to an American football.

The Longhorns punter for the last three years declared early.

Accolades poured in for Dickson in his final year of college football.

A unanimous first team All-American, as well as first team AllBig 12, and Big 12 special teams player of the year. Throw in the Ray Guy award winner for the top punter in the nation, and Dickson may need to dedicate an entire wing of his house for all the hardware he earned in Austin. Dickson has the long frame NFL teams’ desire in their punters. Not only does Dickson process a leg capable of booming 70+ yarders regularly, but he also can pin offenses deep in their own territory with great consistency.

While punters aren’t usually highly coveted in the draft, Dickson could hear his name called as early as Day 2.

IN A NUT SHELL: Townsend was a highly coveted high school Army All-American out of Boone High School in Orlando, FL. Choosing to stay local, Townsend enjoyed a very successful career at the University of Florida. A two-time Ray Guy Award semifinalist for the nation’s top punter, Townsend graduated as the all-time Gators leader in punt average, as well as All-American honors in 2016, and two-time first-team All-SEC. Townsend is known for his strong leg, punting the ball 60+ yards 11 times in his four-year career, six of those punts coming during his senior campaign.

Townsend possesses the leg strength to kick in any condition and may hear his name called on Day 3 of the draft.

Texas (Jr) Height: 6’05” / Weight: 213 lbs.

BEST GAME: TEXAS BOWL (2017) Dickson enjoyed a stellar career at the University of Texas, but he most certainly saved his best for last. Facing Missouri in the 2017 Texas Bowl, Dickson was named MVP of the game. It’s a rare sight to see a punter take home such an award, but Dickson was hands down the best player on the field that day. He managed to pin Missouri within their own 15-yard line a remarkable ten times. Four of those kicks dropping within the 5-yard line. After the game opposing coach Barry Odom was asked if he’s ever seen a punter have a more significant impact on a game: “Nope,” Odom said. “I guess that’s why he won that award.”

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Florida (Sr) Height: 6’01” / Weight: 210 lbs.

BEST GAME: VANDERBUILT (2016) Against Vanderbilt in 2016, Townsend recorded a 51.9 yard average on seven punts, with five of those punts pinning the Commodores within their 20-yard line. This performance earned Townsend Ray Guy Punter of the Week. In 2017 against LSU, Townsend once again earned the Punter of the Week prize after recording five punts for 246 yards (49.2 average).

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/// PUNTER

TREVOR DANIEL /// P3

JK SCOTT /// P4

2017 STATS / 72 Punts / 47.5 Gross Avg / 27 Inside 20 / 5 TB / Long of 72

2017 STATS / 54 Punts / 44.0 Gross Avg / 27 Inside 20 / 4 TB / 24 FC / Long of 64

IN A NUT SHELL: Daniel was a four-sport athlete as a prep athlete at Dickson County High School. A much better athlete than most punters are given credit for, Daniel can 360 dunk a basketball with ease. Displaying that type of athleticism is not common among punters, but Daniels proved he is more than just a good athlete in his time at Tennessee. A three-time Ray Guy Award watch list player, Daniel ranked fourth nationally with a whopping 47.5 yard average per punt. Pair that athleticism with a powerful leg, and Daniel is the type of prospect teams will want to have on their camp roster. Do not be surprised to see Daniel earn himself a spot a teams’ final 53 come September.

IN A NUT SHELL: Playing for the Crimson Tide, Scott did not have as many opportunities to showcase his leg, but still left the university as the all-time leader in yards per punt (45.6). Scott finished his career as a two-time first-team All-SEC player as well as a two-time All-American. Scott burst onto the scene his freshman year, producing the best statistical season for a punter his first year on campus. Scott has great length for a punter and showed above-average athleticism with his 4.84 40-yard dash time at the combine. Scott may also be an appealing option for a team looking for a kickoff specialist. Scott did an admiral job handle such duties at Alabama, and it is that type of versatility that may help him earn a roster spot out of camp next season.

Tennessee (rSr) Height: 6’01” / Weight: 230 lbs.

BEST GAME: GEORGIA (2017) Daniel dropped 5/6 punts inside the 20-yard line against Georgia last season, including matching career-long 70-yard punt. Against Alabama in, he set a career high in punts (10) for an average of 48.3 yards per boot, forcing four fair catches to go along with four punts of 50+ yards, two punts that traveled 60+ all the while landing three punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

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Alabama (Sr) Height: 6’05” / Weight: 208 lbs.

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/// PUNTER

SHANE TRIPUCKA /// P5

RYAN WINSLOW /// P6

2017 STATS / 83 Punts / 45.5 Gross Avg / 26 Inside 20 / 6 TB / Long of 64

2017 STATS / 57 Punts / 44.5 Gross Avg / 16 Inside 20 / 5 TB / Long of 63

IN A NUT SHELL: Tripucka comes from a long line of professional athletes. His grandfather played quarterback for the Denver Broncos in the 60’s, while his uncle was a two-time All-Star with the Detroit Pistons. Shane was highly sought after himself, a high school Under Armour All-American, and his opponents tallied a grand total of zero return yards against him in high school.

Tripucka has carried that type of hang time and accuracy over to college. Tripucka set a school record in 2016 when he downed 27 punts inside the 20 yard line. NFL teams will look at his 33 fair catches and 30 punts of 50+ yards and see they have plenty to work with in Tripucka. Combining accuracy, power and hang time Tripucka has the makeup of an NFL punter and should be a priority UDFA this spring.

IN A NUT SHELL: Winslow was regarded as one of the top prep punters in the nation according to Scout.com. His father George Winslow was the first punter to earn a scholarship as a punter at the University of Wisconsin. A Maple Glen, PA native, Winslow decided to stay within the state and punt for the Pittsburgh Panthers. Winslow redshirted his first year on campus, then promptly won the starting punting position the following season, never letting go. Winslow's best season came his senior year where he led the ACC in gross average (44.5) also earned a first-team All-ACC selection. Winslow combines length, and power, as well as the ability to hold on field goal attempts.

Winslow has proven to be a valuable commodity and should have every chance to compete for a job next fall.

Texas A&M (Sr) Height: 6’03” / Weight: 211 lbs.

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Pitt (Sr) Height: 6’05” / Weight: 217 lbs.

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/// PUNTER

JOSEPH DAVIDSON /// P7

COREY BOJORQUEZ /// P8

2017 STATS / 60 Punts / 44.0 Gross Avg / 28 Inside 20 / 2 TB / Long of 65

2017 STATS / 67 Punts / 47.3 Gross Avg / 32 Inside 20 / 12 TB / Long of 78

IN A NUT SHELL: Davidson is a well-built, tall punter from Findlay, Ohio.

Choosing to stay close to home, Davidson enrolled at Bowling Green University, where he enjoyed a stellar career. Davidson was a Ray Guy Award finalist in 2016. Davidson has an incredibly strong leg and could be considered the 12th man for the defense; he can flip a field with ease. Davidson punted the ball over 80 yards twice in his career; his 82-yarder tied him for longest in the country in 2016. Being able to boom the ball is an excellent asset for Davidson, but maybe even more impressive is his placement. Davidson only had two touchbacks his entire senior year. Davidson will be in a team’s camp this year competing for a roster spot next fall.

IN A NUT SHELL: Bojorquez was the top junior college punter in 2015 and chose to attend the University of New Mexico. Bojorquez continued to improve his two years on campus, finishing his senior season with a booming 47.3-yard average. Bojorquez has proven to have the leg and accuracy to stick in the NFL. What teams may find most appealing about Bojorquez is his leftfooted punting. Being able to put a reverse spin on the ball may lead to more muffed punts on the return. In a league where turnovers are at a premium, Bojorquez may be able to carve out a nice niche for himself.

Bowling Green (Sr) Height: 6’07” / Weight: 232 lbs.

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New Mexico (Sr) Height: 6’00” / Weight: 200 lbs.

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/// PUNTER

MICHAEL CARRIZOSA /// P9

CAMERON NIZIALEK /// P10

2017 STATS / 73 Punts / 45.6 Gross Avg / 25 Inside 20 / 5 TB / Long of 68

2017 STATS / 61 Punts / 45.0 Gross Avg / 26 Inside 20 / 4 TB / Long of 61

IN A NUT SHELL: Carrizosa was a letter winner in football and soccer at Palma High school in Salinas, CA. Carrizosa immediately won the starting punting job his freshman year and spent the next four years punting for the Spartans. Carrizosa left the university as the all-time leader in punting average, as well as the mark for best single-season average (47.5, 2015).

Carrizosa is the first punter in San Jose State history to be a three-time all-conference selection. Carrizosa was just the second player in SJSU history to be invited to college football awards show as a finalist for the Ray Guy Award in 2015. As the schools starting punter for four years Carrizosa has plenty of experience, look for him to be invited to camp and given a chance to compete for a punting job next fall.

IN A NUT SHELL: Nizialek was a grad transfer from Columbia University who arrived at the University of Georgia and won the starting punter job during the pre-season. Nizialek came into his own his last year of eligibility, averaging 45 yards per punt, the highest for a Georgia punter since former All-American Drew Butler. His greatest strength is his ability to pin opponents deep in their territory. Forty-three percent of Nizialek’s punts last year were downed within the oppositions 20-yard line. Nizialek has some skills that NFL teams will want. Expect to see Nizialek in an NFL camp next season.

San José State (Sr) Height: 5’10” / Weight: 225 lbs.

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Georgia (Sr) Height: 6’02” / Weight: 200 lbs.

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KR/PR Position Analysis by:

///

Adam Weseman

Dante Pettis

///

Washington – Sr

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/// RETURNER P1........... DANTE

PETTIS Washington.................................................................................. 177 P2........... RASHAAD PENNY San Diego State....................................................................178 P3........... CHRISTIAN KIRK Texas A&M............................................................................... 179 P4........... SAQUON BARKLEY Penn State......................................................................... 180 P5........... MIKE HUGHES UCF................................................................................................ 180 P6........... DJ REED Kansas State....................................................................................................181 P7........... DARIUS PHILLIPS Western Michigan..................................................................181 P8........... QUADREE HENDERSON Pitt............................................................................182 P9........... DJ CHARK LSU.............................................................................................................182 P10........... ISAIAH OLIVER Colorado.......................................................................................183

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HIGHLIGHTS

DANTE PETTIS /// RET1 Washington (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 6’0” / Weight: 186 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: DNP NFL COMBINE / DNP 2017 STATS / PUNT: 21 Ret / 428 Yds (20.4 Avg) / 4 TD IN A NUT SHELL: The all-time career leader in punt return touchdowns, Pettis jumps off the screen with his virtuoso ability as a returner. He shows excellent vision paired with his ability to smoothly change directions and elude tacklers. Pettis’ biggest strength is his speed, outrunning defenders and taking away angles for defenders who have a bead on him. Plus, he has the long speed teams look for; you won’t see him caught from behind. Pettis is creative and explosive with the ball in his hands, making use of every inch of the field. Pettis was named first team All-Pac-12 as a returner in 2017 when he took four punts to the house.

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BEST GAME: OREGON (2017) Pettis had an electric game against Oregon in 2017, returning a punt for a touchdown to break the all-time record for most punt return scores in a career. He also showed off his speed hauling in a long touchdown as a receiver. If someone wants to know what makes Pettis so valuable, this game shows it. He can bust a game wide open with just one or two plays.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Pettis would be instant competition for Trevor Davis, who hasn't yet made an impact at receiver and has been up and down as a returner. Davis and Pettis have similar skill sets, doing a lot of the same things well but Pettis just does them better. Dante is the more refined prospect with higher upside. He would step in as the return man on Day 1 and get worked into the offense as a deep threat, where he’d instantly be the most dynamic down-the-field receiver on the roster.

177

HIGHLIGHTS

RASHAAD PENNY /// RET2 San Diego State (Sr) MEASURABLES / Height: 5’11� / Weight: 220 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.46 NFL COMBINE / 13 Bench Reps / 32.5" Vertical / 120" Broad 2017 STATS / KICK: 17 Ret / 521 Yds (30.6 Avg) / 2 TD /// PUNT: 2 Ret / 70 Yds (35 Avg) / 1 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Rashaad Penny cut his teeth as a kick returner, waiting for his chance at running back behind the record-setting Donnel Pumphrey. He wasted little time becoming an impact player for the Aztecs. As a sophomore he was named San Diego State's Most Valuable Special Teams Player, first team All-Mountain West as a returner and was also named Mountain West Special Teams Player Of The Year. As a junior, he repeated with all three of those titles. Penny took over the starting running back role his senior year, but still returned kicks and posted an average of 30.6 yards per return, his third straight year over 30 yards a kick.

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BEST GAME: NEVADA (2017) Penny put on a show late in the 2017 season against Nevada.

He even tried his hand at returning punts for the first time, one of which he took 70 yards to the house. The LA native ended the day with two kickoff returns and one punt return totaling 201 yards and two scores, all while going for 222 yards and two more touchdowns as the starting running back. Not a bad day at the office.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Penny would have to fight a crowded backfield with Ty Montgomery coming back from injury, along with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams each proving to be viable options last season as rookies. He would be an instant shot in the arm to the kick return position while waiting his turn in the backfield, much like he did at San Diego State. Penny's ability would be tough to keep on the sideline, especially if he develops more as a pass protector.

178

HIGHLIGHTS

CHRISTIAN KIRK /// RET3 Texas A&M (Jr) MEASURABLES / Height: 5’10” / Weight: 201 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.47 NFL COMBINE / 20 Bench Reps / 35.5" Vertical / 115" Broad / 4.45 20-Yard Shuttle / 7.09 Three-Cone 2017 STATS / KICK: 18 Ret / 378 Yds (21 Avg) / 1 TD /// PUNT: 10 Ret / 191 Yds (19.1 Avg) / 1 TD IN A NUT SHELL: It didn't take long for the five-star high school recruit to burst onto the scene for the Aggies. He housed a punt in his very first college game, a testament to his estimable talent. When watching Kirk, it is easy to see how dynamic he is with the ball in his hands. He has the size and quickness to force missed tackles and the field vision to set up his moves. The two-time first team All-SEC returner racked up seven total return touchdowns in his time in College Station.

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BEST GAME: ARKANSAS (2017) Christian Kirk was a one-man show in a game against Arkansas.

He had an 81-yard touchdown early in the game, later adding a kickoff return score in the fourth quarter to give Texas A&M the lead. Arkansas came back to tie the game, only for Kirk to score the eventual game-winning touchdown in overtime.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Kirk would be thrust into action as a return man while learning the playbook on offense. His fit would look a lot like a young Randall Cobb, where the Packers would try to find ways to get the ball in his hands as much as possible returning kicks, playing receiver, and possibly even a few running back snaps.

In fact, drafting Kirk could make Cobb more or less obsolete as a contributor to this team.

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/// RETURNER

SAQUON BARKLEY /// RET4

MIKE HUGHES /// RET5

Height: 6’00” / Weight: 233 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.40

Height: 5’10” / Weight: 189 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.53

Penn State (Jr)

UCF (Jr)

NFL COMBINE / 29 Bench Reps / 41 Vertical / 4.24 20-Yard Shuttle

NFL COMBINE / 20 Bench Reps / 35.5’’ Vertical / 127" Broad / 4.13 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.70 Three-Cone

2017 STATS / KICK: 15 Ret / 426 Yds (28.4 Avg) / 2 TD

2017 STATS / KICK: 20 Ret / 635 Yds (31.8 Avg) / 2 TD /// PUNT: 14 Ret / 233 Yds (16.6 Avg) / 1 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: “The total package.” That’s what comes to mind with Saquon Barkley; a freak of nature athlete who is also a do-it-all football player. Barkley has the size of a power running back but what really stood out on film was his long speed coupled with high-end burst and acceleration. On top of being an elite running back prospect, Barkley showcases his ability as a return man with a combination of vision and balance through contact. All of the things that make him a great running back, also make him a dynamic returner. There’s a reason he’s considered by some to be the best overall prospect in the draft.

IN A NUT SHELL: The junior from Central Florida took the long road to get to the 2018 draft. Hughes started his career at North Carolina before being dismissed from the team in 2015 after just one year. He spent the 2016 season at Garden City Community College before landing at UCF for the 2017 campaign. In his lone year at UCF, Hughes garnered first team All-AAC honors as a cornerback and second team All-AAC as a returner. He also provided one of the most iconic moments in all of college football last season when he returned a kick 95 yards for a touchdown after South Florida had just tied the game with just over one minute remaining.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Everybody expects Barkley to be long gone by the time the Packers are on the clock, but if he is there it would be interesting to see what new GM Brian Gutekunst would do. Barkley would almost certainly be the, "best player available," but would the new GM want to sink a high pick into the backfield with Montgomery, Jones and Williams on the roster? His ability to run, catch, block and return would make him a welcome addition to the Packers, and he would be the most talented backfield weapon in Green Bay in the Aaron Rodgers era.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Hughes could compete right away to be a starting corner. In the NFL, a team needs at least three corners to be a good defense and after trading Damarious Randall right before free agency, the Packers only had one preferred starter. Hughes would give the Packers some flexibility, as he has the quickness to play inside but also the speed to play on the boundary, much like Randall, though hopefully with a better attitude.

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/// RETURNER

DJ REED /// RET6

DARIUS PHILLIPS /// RET7

Height: 5’09” / Weight: 188 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.51

Height: 5’09” / Weight: 193 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.54

Kansas State (rJr)

Western Michigan (rSr)

NFL COMBINE / 11 Bench Reps / 36.5" Vertical

NFL COMBINE / DNP

2017 STATS / KICK: 17 Ret / 582 Yds (34.2 Avg) / 1 TD /// PUNT: 17 Ret / 253 Yds (14.9 Avg) / 1 TD

2017 STATS / KICK: 26 Ret / 683 Yds (26.3 Avg) / 2 TD /// PUNT: 13 Ret / 104 Yds (8 Avg) / 1 TD

IN A NUT SHELL: The feisty, undersized cornerback really made a name for himself as a multi-talented playmaker at Kansas State. Reed started his career at Fresno State where he redshirted, then transferred to a community college before landing in Manhattan, KS. He was named second team All-American as a corner and a returner. Reed will fight questions about his height and speed his entire career, but his heart and competitive toughness cannot be questioned.

IN A NUT SHELL: Phillips falls into the same category as the aforementioned Reed. He is an undersized, playmaking corner who is also a dazzling returner. The two-time MAC Special Teams Player of the Year had 14 total TDs between offense, defense and special teams in his illustrious career at Western Michigan.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Reed would surely make a bid for playing time covering slot receivers. The question would be if he would ever become more than that. DJ's competitive nature and aggressiveness would fit well with what Mike Pettine wants from his players.

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FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Much like Reed, Phillips’ value is as a playmaking slot corner.

His size will most likely limit him as a boundary corner, but he will make an impact early returning kicks and punts.

Phillips is a rock solid all-around football player but lacks the physical traits to have the upside of some of the other players in this class.

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/// RETURNER

QUADREE HENDERSON /// RET8 DJ CHARK /// RET9 Pitt (Jr)

LSU (Sr)

NFL COMBINE / 12 Bench Reps / 32.5" Vertical / 120" Broad / 4.28 20-Yard Shuttle / 6.89 Three-Cone

NFL COMBINE / 16 Bench Reps / 40" Vertical / 129" Broad

Height: 5’08” / Weight: 192 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.50

2017 STATS / KICK: 25 Ret / 524 Yds (21 Avg) / 0 TD /// PUNT: 21 Ret / 243 Yds (11.6 Avg) / 2 TD IN A NUT SHELL: The 2016 All-American returner sports a very productive career log at Pitt. The undersized return man never found much of a home on offense, splitting reps at receiver and running back. Despite Henderson’s production at Pitt, his size and lack of long speed on tape draw some concerns. His quickness and field vision make him a real threat, but some players of his mold—Dri Archer and De'Anthony Thomas for example—have failed to make much of an impact in the NFL. FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Henderson would have a difficult time making the Packer roster, with no real home on offense. Henderson would have to be superlatively dynamic in the return game to have a chance, but in the NFL, it is hard to keep a roster spot open for a true specialist. For Henderson to stick, he would have to show he’s capable of playing on all four phases of special teams, as a returner and in kick coverage.

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Height: 6’02” / Weight: 199 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.34

2017 STATS / KICK: 1 Ret / 12 Yds /// PUNT: 18 Ret / 190 Yds (10.6 Avg) / 2 TD IN A NUT SHELL: Chark is a different style athlete and returner than the others on this list. He has great size and speed, but is more of a tall, lanky traditional receiver body, not what we usually see from returners. I don't see Chark as the most natural returner, but he isn't a negative there either. Chark will get what's blocked and has the ability to force a few missed tackles. His speed makes him dangerous any time he has the ball.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Chark would battle guys like Geronimo Allison, Trevor Davis, and Deangelo Yancey for snaps as the No. 3 receiver initially.

Chark is the most talented of that group and most likely to win the job. If the Packers choose to move on from either of them, he could be pressed into a bigger role sooner rather than later. His physical traits look like a very good fit for what the Packers need in Mike McCarthy's offense.

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/// RETURNER

ISAIAH OLIVER /// RET10 Colorado (Jr)

Height: 6’00” / Weight: 201 lbs. / 40-Yard Dash: 4.50 NFL COMBINE / DNP in other events 2017 STATS / PUNT: 5 Ret / 16 Yds (3.02 Avg) / 0 TD IN A NUT SHELL: What do you get when you mix a star track athlete and an excellent football player with great bloodlines? The answer is a potential first-round pick at cornerback. Oliver’s father Muhammad was also a terrific track athlete and played corner at Oregon before spending time in the NFL, including a brief stint with the Packers. Oliver is a very smooth athlete with good length and ball skills to go along with his ability as a returner. He didn't do much returning in 2017 as a starting cornerback, but in 2016 he returned a punt for a touchdown and had a 10.5 yard return average on punts.

FIT WITH THE PACKERS: Isaiah Oliver would be a great fit in Green Bay with new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine wanting to play more press man coverage. Oliver has the size, speed and ball skills desired to be an ideal fit in the Packers’ scheme. He may need a little coaching to reach his full potential, but all the physical tools are there for a high end starting boundary cornerback. While learning his craft on defense, Oliver could provide some help as a return man. The traditional Ted Thompson thresholds for corners, which new GM Brian Gutekunst intimated would remain part of the process, could be a problem for Oliver who comes up short of the 3-cone time the Packers like. That said, the official time at Oliver’s pro day may not be the same time as Packers scouts clocked, plus he may be close enough to sneak in.

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PACKERS 2018 MOCK DRAFT ///

Twelve picks? Are you kidding me? There’s little chance new GM Brian Gutekunst comes out of draft weekend with 12 shiny new players. Don’t be surprised if the Packers package multiple picks to procure another low Round 1 pick like his mentor Ted Thompson did to nab Clay Matthews. However, it would be fruitless to try to predict such moves here, so we will stay with the selections as they stand now. The approach taken here is the Round 1 and Round 2 picks are a straight prediction of what the Packers are likely to do. Everything after that is a combination of what they will do and what they should do, in these eyes. Let’s get started:

by "Jersey Al" Bracco

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/// PACKERS MOCK DRAFT

RD 1 /// PICK 14

HAROLD LANDRY EDGE, Boston College The approach here will be to address one of the Packers two biggest needs with the first selection. That leads us to either a pass (edge) rusher or a cornerback. Historically, many more successful cornerbacks have been drafted in later rounds than edge rushers. In short, if you want a premier edge rusher, get him early. Landry was oneman wrecking machine for the Eagles in 2016, but missed some games due to injury in 2017 and his production dropped off. He should be there for the Packers at 14, but is he the player they covet?

ALTERNATE CHOICES: MARCUS

DAVENPORT / ARDEN KEY

RD 2 /// PICK 45

CARLTON DAVIS CB, Auburn With the next Packers’ sack leader procured in the first round, the attention turns to cornerback, perhaps the position group with the most question marks on this team. Before Tramon Williams was signed, the Packers cornerbacks group had a grand total of 27 NFL starts between them, 15 of those by Quinten Rollins. With an aggressive defensive philosophy promised by new DC Mike Pettine, a physical corner that can make life difficult for opposing receivers would seem to be in order. Enter Davis, a press corner that bullies receivers and breaks up passes at a high rate. There may be speedier choices available (see alternates), but Davis is likely to have a greater overall impact on the Packers defense.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: JAIRE

ALEXANDER / DONTE JACKSON

RD 3 /// PICK 76

ANTHONY MILLER WR, Memphis With Jordy Nelson in effect, swapped for Jimmy Graham at a lower 2018 cap hit, it’s time to find Aaron Rodgers another wideout threat capable of working his way up to WR2. Miller runs sharp routes, can get deep and tracks the ball well. He was extremely productive for two seasons in a row (191 rec, 2896 yds, 32 TDs). He has had some issues holding on to the ball, but that can be improved.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: DEONTAY

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BURNETT / KEKE COUTEE

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/// PACKERS MOCK DRAFT

RD 4 /// PICK 101

GODWIN IGWEBUIKE S, Northwestern Once again, the Packers have the first selection of day three, giving them plenty of time to think about their choice or field trade offers. Even before Morgan Burnett left for the Steelers, the Packers had to have seen the need to shore up the depth at the safety position. Now it’s a downright necessity. Igwebuike played mostly free safety in 2017, but has experience at both safety spots, something the Packers definitely would appreciate.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: TERRELL

EDMUNDS / MARCUS ALLEN

RD 4 /// PICK 133 (COMP)

JOE NOTEBOOM OT, TCU Bryan Bulaga may not be fully back until midseason, and his long history of injuries means it’s time to start looking for his replacement. Jason Spriggs, the one tackle I did not want the Packers to draft that year, is not the answer. Noteboom reminds one of another tackle snapped up in the fourth round, David Bakhtiari. That’s worked out rather well and Noteboom could be another hidden gem at to play right tackle.

At worst, he could move inside and be a very good NFL guard.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: BRANDON

PARKER / GERON CHRISTIAN

RD 5 /// PICK 138

TONY BROWN CB, Alabama A second cornerback choice makes a lot of sense here, especially one that has learned his craft at the vaunted Saban secondary school. The hard-hitting and speedy Brown can be an immediate contributor on special teams and has the build to transition to safety or provide depth at both spots.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: RASHAAN

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GAULDEN / TARON JOHNSON

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/// PACKERS MOCK DRAFT

RD 5 /// PICK 172 (COMP)

DUKE EJIOFOR EDGE, Wake Forest A very different type of edge rusher than Landry, Ejiofor does his work with power inside. At 270 pounds, he could even play a hybrid role with his hand in the dirt at times. He offers versatility and special teams contributions in year one.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: KENDRICK

NORTON / ANDREW BROWN

RD 5 /// PICK 174 (COMP)

CHRISTIAN SAM ILB, Arizona State Sam was ultra-productive for the Sun Devils, racking up 127 tackles last season. He is a three-down linebacker that will be an important special team contributor right out of the gate. Sam can slide into the role held by Joe Thomas the last few seasons.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: JACK

CICHY / GENARD AVERY

RD 6 /// PICK 186

MARQUEZ VALDES-SCANTLING WR, South Florida With a 4.37 40 time at the combine, Valdes-Scantling is a rare combination of size and speed. He is very raw and has a lot to learn in terms of running routes and holding onto the ball, but may be a project worth taking a flyer on late in the draft.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: JAKE

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RD 6 /// PICK 207 (COMP)

ETHAN WOLF TE, Tennessee Teams can always use depth at tight end because of their versatility to play offense and special teams. Wolf may have better receiving skills than Lance Kendricks and Richard Rodgers, who may not be re-signed. He would make a good practice squad stash to call up in case of a serious injury at the tight end position.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: TROY

FUMAGALLI / DAVID WELLS

RD 7 /// PICK 232

BILAL NICHOLS DL, Delaware This former tight end is a hard worker on the field who offers some inside pass rush ability along the interior (five sacks each of his last two seasons).

ALTERNATE CHOICES: JUSTIN

JONES / TAYLOR STALLWORTH

RD 7 /// PICK 239

TRE’ WILLIAMS ILB, Auburn Another hard working, high intensity and high character player that does his best work against the run and will be a willing contributor on special teams.

ALTERNATE CHOICES: CHRIS

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PACKERS POSITIONAL ANALYSIS ///

by Ross Uglem

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QUARTERBACK The Packers have one decided advantage over the rest of the NFL: they start every season with the most talented quarterback in the league. Aaron Rodgers will return for his 11th season as Green Bay’s starter having missed a large stretch of the 2017 season with the second major collarbone injury of his career. His return in 2018 restores the Packers as a likely team to make a deep playoff run.

The Packers, though, didn’t make that run in 2017 largely due to the struggles of Brett Hundley. In his third year in McCarthy’s system, the former UCLA star simply wasn’t ready. Hundley threw for just 5.8 yards per attempt with a 9:12 touchdown to interception ratio. The Packers did not survive his tenure as the starter and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Green Bay’s inability to move forward with Hundley sparked a trade. The Packers sent cornerback Damarious Randall to the Cleveland Browns for DeShone Kizer, the 52nd pick in the 2017 draft who was forced into starter’s duty for the Browns. Clearly the rumors and reports the Packers had interest in Kizer around last year’s draft were true, at least those who remain in the Green Bay front office a year ago—those who left from Cleveland clearly had other ideas about Kizer the prospect.

DeSHONE KIZER #09

Green Bay’s retention of Joe Callahan may give credence to the idea they’re looking for a trade partner for Hundley.

RUNNING BACK The Packers are in as good of shape at the running back position as they’ve been since the days of Ahman Green. Green Bay hit the reset button on the position a year ago, choosing to let the Eddie Lacy era end, move Ty Montgomery to running back full time and draft three rookies.

Montgomery again proved to be a very talented runner with seemingly limitless potential and a penchant for missing time with injury. He’ll enter 2018 as a starterlevel player whose best role might on a “pitch count” to preserve his health.

Montgomery’s role can be reduced from that of a traditional RB1 because of 2017 fifth- round pick Aaron Jones. An incredibly talented back who flashes on tape, Jones created 13 missed tackles on just 81 rushing attempts. Based on a limited sample as a rookie, Jeans appears to have real star potential.

Jones also dealt with injury in 2017, forcing fourth-round pick Jamaal Williams into action. Williams struggled with vision early, but developed into a useful option later in the season, succeeding despite stacked boxes that didn’t fear Hundley.

AARON JONES #33

Devante Mays and Joel Bouagnon round out the options, which is just another way of saying they aren’t really options based on what we’ve seen from them.

WIDE RECEIVER For the first time since 2008, Jordy Nelson will not don #87 in Green and Gold. Nelson was a fan favorite, an All-Pro and probably Rodgers’ favorite target of all time. He’s a lock to be a Packers Hall of Famer and will be missed.

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In his stead as Green Bay’s premier receiver is Davante Adams. Adams followed a stabilizing third season in Green Bay (following a frightening sophomore campaign) by emerging as a star. Adams was the only pass catcher unaffected by the Rodgers injury as he continued to produce even amid Brett Hundley’s struggles.

Randall Cobb will likely return to man the slot. Cobb endured yet another season in which he was underutilized, despite being open quite a bit and available for 15 of the team’s 16 games. Nelson’s exit and the supposed rebuild of the playbook could lead the Packers to maximize Cobb’s talents in a contract year.

The rest of the group presents more questions than answers. Can Geronimo Allison recapture the way he played as a rookie and shake off the sophomore slump? Can Trevor Davis make the third year jump so many receivers are able to put together?

Does Green Bay have anything in DeAngelo Yancey?

Michael Clark also carries tremendous potential along with a 6’6” frame. His brief appearance on the active roster gave his supporters hope for a shot at 2018.

MICHAEL CLARK #89

TIGHT END The Packers responded to potentially the worst free agent signing of Ted Thompson’s career (Martellus Bennett) by immediately going into the market for another All-Pro tight end on the wrong side of 30. Jimmy Graham signed with Green Bay on the first day of free agency, right before the team announced it was releasing Nelson.

Graham led all NFL tight ends with 10 touchdowns last season and posted the more productive season of any player in the red zone. Upon further film review, there may be an upside to the Graham signing, as the way the Seahawks used him in the game plan was questionable at best.

Lance Kendricks was the other signing at tight end an offseason ago and gave Packers fans dreams of 12 personnel that were never realized. Kendricks was fine when Bennett was still around but after Rodgers went down and Bennett went AWOL, Kendricks struggled to contribute. He’ll get another shot as a TE2 in 2018.

Emanuel Byrd is a shorter H-back style tight end who made his debut on the active roster a season ago and will head into the offseason as a part of the Packers.

Richard Rodgers is an unrestricted free agent but could be brought back on a reasonable contract.

COREY LINSLEY #63

INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE Not too long ago, the Packers may just have had the best interior offensive line group in the league with Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley, T.J. Lang and J.C Tretter behind them.

Now, only Linsley remains, fresh off of a contract extension.

He seems to be the anchor at center that Rodgers has been looking for after time with Linsley, Scott Wells, Tretter, Jeff Saturday and Evan Smith during the early parts of his career.

Green Bay also has a long-term answer at left guard. After controversially releasing

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Sitton, the Packers plugged in Lane Taylor and promptly signed him to an extension.

Taylor also had to fill in last season at left tackle and did so admirably.

Offensive line coach James Campen might have found an option for right guard as well. Justin McCray, an undrafted free agent, filled in all over the line a season ago and flashed promise, especially in the run game. At one point in the season, after McCray shuffled between playing guard, tackle, McCarthy called him in the team’s MVP. Jahri Evans performed admirably in the role in 2017, but at 34 years old may not be brought back.

Green Bay drafted Kofi Amichia a season ago in what certainly seems like another attempt at moving an athletic college tackle to the interior of the offensive line.

The team loves Lucas Patrick who should be back after being tendered as an exclusiverights free agent.

LANE TAYLOR #65

OFFENSIVE TACKLE Offensive tackle is a position of volatility, not in the sense that there’s a question who will play there, but in how healthy and effective they will be.

The most important spot, left tackle, is set with David Bakhtiari, a fourth-round gem from former GM Ted Thompson. Bak has always been an elite pass protector, but developed into a balanced lineman, dominating in both phases, and elevating himself among the best offensive linemen in football regardless of position.

Right tackle is a complete question mark. Bryan Bulaga tore his ACL during a season in which he was not playing his best. Kyle Murphy showed flashes of ability filling in at both right and left tackle, but he too ended up on injured reserve.

Former second-round pick Jason Spriggs regressed precariously in his second season, and will need a Davante Adams-type effort in Year 3 to ease the minds of the staff and Packers fans.

Adam Pankey is an interesting prospect and Green Bay could also bring back Ulrick John.

DEFENSIVE LINE Outside of the quarterback spot, the defensive line has the chance to be Green Bay’s best position group.

KENNY CLARK #97

Kenny Clark, Thompson’s final first-round pick, may just prove to be his best. Clark played at an elite level in 2017, his second season. Clark is still just 22 years old, despite entering his 3rd year in the NFL. Clark’s running mate Mike Daniels is a consistent force on the line against both the pass and the run. The former Iowa Hawkeye is a disruptive penetrator who uses leverage and immense strength to his advantage. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017, and the dirty little secret is Clark was actually the more consistent, disruptive player.

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Clark and Daniels were a two-man wrecking crew in Capers’ 2-4-5 scheme a season ago, but free agency made them much scarier. Former two-time All-Pro Muhammad Wilkerson joined Green Bay on a one-year prove it deal that reunited him with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

Clark, Daniels and Wilkerson give Green Bay a three-man line in which all three have Pro Bowl potential. The Packers front boasts depth as well. Dean Lowry last year’s starter in base packages, moves to a backup role where he’s overqualified to be playing after taking a clear step forward in Year 2. He’s the ideal backup as a possible Four-A player: he’s not ever going to be a high-level starter, but he’s a premium backup option.

Montravius Adams enters his second season in Green Bay as a top-100 pick from Auburn played limited snaps as a rookie and has to be viewed as one of the top Packers candidates for improvement. Adams fought injuries that limited his offseason as well.

Quinton Dial, a key cog on this defensive line last season, appears unlikely to be back.

MONTRAVIUS ADAMS #90

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER/EDGE Pettine inherits a fascinating group. On paper, Nick Perry and Clay Matthews provide a solid foundation to pair with backup Reggie Gilbert and Vince Biegel, creating what should be at the very least an average pass rush group.

Matthews is a former All-Pro, and Perry a double-digit sack artist, but the issue for each player is health. Perry took a step back in production after an excellent 2016, thanks to another injury. After an excellent Week 1, a hand injury kept Perry from being maximally effective for most of the rest of the season. Matthews is still very disruptive despite waning sack totals and was one of the best run-stopping linebackers in the league last season, but when he’s not healthy, he struggles to produce through it.

Biegel is a mid-round pick with early round upside as an athlete, with striking trait similarities to Matthews. Biegel, like Montravius Adams, had an injury that robbed him of most of camp and ultimately the potential to have much of an impact as a rookie. Gilbert played well in the preseason but couldn’t find regular season work, despite the lack of production ahead of him.

Speaking of which, Kyler Fackrell’s time on the edge should come to a close defensively.

Fackrell still provides value on specials and could contribute as an off-the-ball linebacker, replacing Joe Thomas. Chris Odom, claimed off of the Falcon’s roster, contributed very little.

BLAKE MARTINEZ #50

INSIDE LINEBACKER After years of searching, Green Bay has finally found two starters at inside linebacker.

Second-year pro Blake Martinez tied for the league lead in tackles, dominating against the run. He did struggle at times in pass coverage but overall his performance was excellent. His athletic development, coupled with his fit with Pettine will determine the type of player he can be.

Jake Ryan, Martinez’s pair inside, has had an up-and-down career as he distances

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himself from a collegiate ACL injury. Even game-to-game, Ryan has high highs and low lows.

But both Ryan and Martinez ranked inside the top 23 (out of 86) off-ball linebackers in ‘17 according to Pro Football Focus.

Beyond Jake and Blake, Green Bay has little in the way of depth, especially with Joe Thomas’ departure. They could find some in the form of a Kyler Fackrell move and the snaps that they’ll surely get from Morgan Burnett replacement Josh Jones.

And that’s one wrinkle to watch: will Jones play a version of Nitro ‘backer for the Packers this season? His best spot is in the box and the Packers declared Jones a dime linebacker immediately after drafting the former NC State safety last year.

KEVIN KING #20

CORNERBACK The Packers are in the middle of a complete overhaul at the cornerback position.

Green Bay traded Damarious Randall, their top corner by the end of last season, to Cleveland. This comes after losing Casey Hayward, Micah Hyde and Sam Shields from their group over the course of the past few seasons.

The new top corner is their first pick from a season ago, Kevin King. The former second-round pick out of Washington is as athletically gifted as any corner in football, but remains a raw talent. The pressure to perform will be immense in the “Revis” role in Pettine’s defense. We shouldn’t expect anyone to be Revis, and certainly not in Year 2 coming off a shoulder injury left him playing one-handed. King showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie and playing hurt shows what a tough kid he is, but he certainly struggled to adjust.

Green Bay’s top option opposite King is an old friend, Tramon Williams. Williams signed a two-year deal with the Packers, which will take him through his age 35 and 36 seasons. Williams was one of the best cornerbacks in all of football a season ago according to PFF, and will serve as a “bridge” player between the Packers desire to win now and the young prospects they acquire this offseason, along with those already on the roster.

Lenzy Pipkins, a taller corner who impressed so much during camp that he made the active roster as an undrafted free agent leads the list of “those already on the roster.”

Fellow UDFA Josh Hawkins, who possesses immense athletic gifts, regressed in his second season. Herb Waters, a wide receiver convert the coaches love returns as well.

LENZY PIPKINS #41

Thompson draft picks Demetri Goodson and Quinten Rollins will likely get one more crack at success during the 2018 offseason.

SAFETY The safety position that appeared to be a strength of the team in ‘17 transforms into a question mark for 2018.

Gone is Morgan Burnett, a player that has started for the Packers, barring injury, since he was drafted in 2010. Burnett, a hybrid linebacker/strong safety type signed a three-year contract with Pittsburgh.

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The aforementioned Jones will replace Burnett as a do-it-all safety. A ’17 secondround pick, Jones is similar to King in that he’s about as athletically gifted for his position one can be.

Jones flashed the ability to dominate, specifically against the Cincinnati Bengals, but as the year went on it became clear that he was still just a rookie. Part of the reason was the injury to Burnett, forcing Jones to play more deep safety and less in the box where he shined in his debut.

The other big question mark is the stabilizing force that used to be HaHa Clinton-Dix. Clinton-Dix parlayed an excellent rookie season into All-Pro level years in 2015 and ‘16. But ‘17 was a different story. Though HHCD didn’t give up a ton of big play behind him, his support in the short pass and run game was sub-standard and his effort was also called into question. Clinton-Dix should bounce back in a contract season.

KENTRELL BRICE #29

Green Bay also has some intriguing young developmental prospects at safety. Marwin Evans was a preseason star and Kentrell Brice played very well as a rookie, but regressed in ‘17 before landing on the injured reserve. Jermaine Whitehead is an exclusive-rights free agent.

SPECIALISTS Mason Crosby followed up the two biggest kicks of his career in the ‘16 playoff win in Dallas with an excellent ‘17. Crosby is rock solid and is signed through 2019.

Kickers often play into their late 30s and Crosby is a fine candidate to do just that.

Green Bay may have finally found their long-term answer at punter after a one-year fling with Jake Schum, who replaced the Ginger Wolverine, Tim Masthay. Vogel was excellent, with a net punting average over 41 and 19 kicks ending inside the 20.

Long snapper is a question mark. Zach Triner from Assumption College is the current long snapper on the roster, but Brett Goode is always a threat to be re-signed if they don’t like what they see in camp or someone gets hurt. The Packers have also been linked to snapping prospects in the pre-draft process.

MASON CROSBY #02

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Harold Landry

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EDGE – Boston College

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WR – Alabama

Roquan Smith

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LB – Georgia

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