It seems like every year there is a high percentage of NFL teams looking to upgrade their pass rushing. Maybe behind good pass defending cornerbacks, young prospects who can get to the opposing quarterbacks is at the top of most NFL teams draft needs. For those who have pass rushing on the top of their draft needs list for the upcoming NFL Draft they should be quite delighted to know that this year’s draft has quite a few prospects who look to have a bright future rushing the passer. One of those teams plays their home games at Lambeau Field. The Green Bay Packers pass rush is looking to be replenished in this year’s NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers Pass Rush Is Looking to Be Replenished via the NFL Draft
The depth of the Packers pass rush is questionable, and that is putting it mildly. Behind starting outside linebackers Nick Perry and Clay Matthews, both of whom have been injury prone throughout their careers, there are some major question marks. Last year’s fourth-round pick Vince Biegel, a Wisconsin native, spent part of his rookie season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list because of off-season foot surgery. When he was activated, he didn’t register a sack and only had 11 total tackles.Second-year outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell wasn’t much better. The former third round pick only had 22 total tackles but did register three sacks. Fackrell actually did show some improvement late in the season, but that isn’t saying much, since he looked totally lost during the first part of the season. It is highly doubtful that the Packers will re-sign veteran Ahmad Brooks, who struggled with a back injury through most of last season.
Because of the suspect depth and the injury history of Perry and Matthews, the Packers pass rush will have to be replenished and the most likely way they will go about doing this is through the draft. As we took a look at the Packers draft needs in our last article, the Packers pass rush was considered their most glaring need. It is highly likely that the Packers will spend their top pick, 14th overall, on a pass rusher.
Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State
Chubb looks to be the top pass rusher in this year’s draft and from all indications, he will be long gone by the time the Packers select, possibly landing in the top five of this draft. So, we take a look at some prospects who might be available when the Packers are on the board and wouldn’t be considered too big of a reach at 14.
Harold Landry, Boston College
Landry’s junior season outshined his senior season, but still, he was productive. As a junior, the 6’3”, 250 outside linebacker/defensive end registered an eye popping 16.5 sacks, but those numbers dropped this past season when he battled injuries and more double and triple teams. Still, even with the injuries and the more attention from opposing offensive lines, he had five sacks.
New Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is looking for players who are versatile, something that Landry is with his ability to line up as a standing 3-4 outside linebacker or as a hand in the dirt 4-3 defensive end. Even with the numbers he has put up at Boston College and his versatility, not everyone is sold on him going this high. CBSSports.com has him rated as the 104th overall draft prospect for this year’s NFL draft.
Marcus Davenport, University of Texas-San Antonio
Marcus Davenport has been a very hotly mentioned prospect as of late. He is quite imposing, being 6’7” and 255 pounds. He played at a lesser known school, UTSA, but still, you can’t teach size and Davenport has that.
However, there is more to the story than just his size. Davenport put up solid numbers at UTSA, 8.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss, this past season. He also shows the burst and athletic ability NFL defensive coordinators covet. His size and athletic ability remind some scouts of Julius Peppers, the longtime defensive lineman who has played defensive end in a 4-3 as well as an outside linebacker in a 3-4.
But like with Landry, Davenport has his naysayers. Daniel Parlegreco of DTP Draft Scout believes that Davenport is too raw and has a long ways to go before he can be a contributor for an NFL team’s defense.
Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
Since the college football season ended, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds name has flown up a lot of draft analyst’s big boards. Edmunds played three seasons for Virginia Tech under one of the best defensive coordinators in college football in Bud Foster. Edmunds is a big linebacker, standing 6’5” and weighing 250 lbs. He isn’t just a pure pass rushing linebacker, although he is capable which was shown by his 5.5 sacks last season for the Hokies.
Edmunds has the capability of playing a stand up linebacker with some believing he can play all three linebacker spots in a 4-3 as well as a 3-4 outside linebacker. That type of versatility could be a major asset in Pettine’s defense. Dane Brugler, Draft Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, has only two linebackers with first round grades, with one of them being Edmunds. The way things are going there is a chance he might not be available when the Packers select at fourteen.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma
Because of Okoronkwo’s lack of size, just 6’1” 240 lbs., he might have to be moved to a standing linebacker position, possibly in a 4-3 limiting where his services can be used. But while at Oklahoma, playing defensive end and linebacker, he was productive getting to the opposing quarterback. In his final two seasons with the Sooners, he totaled 17 sacks.
Even being smaller in stature, there is a possibility that he could play in a 3-4 defensive alignment. For the Packers new defensive scheme, he could be lined up at outside linebacker when they go 3-4 and then play a standing linebacker position when they go 4-3.
Arden Key, LSU
Like with Landry, Key saw his numbers drop off this past season from his previous season. Last season, his junior season, Key only registered four sacks, but that was only playing in just eight games. The previous season, he had 11 sacks.
Key is blessed with great size, 6’6” and 265 pounds, for a defensive end/outside linebacker. He played in a 3-4 at LSU the past two seasons under Dave Aranda, one of the best coordinators in college football.
Experts are all over the place on where Key will be selected. Some have him rated as a top 15 draft prospect while others have him falling to the second round. Whoever drafts him will have to have a defensive coordinator who can light a fire under his butt to play.
