Green Bay Packers: Grading the 2012 draft

Jun 11, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Jerel Worthy works out during organized team activities at Clarke Hinkle Field in Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Second Round, No. 51 overall
(from Arizona via Philadelphia)
Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Packers took Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy with the 51st overall pick. In college, Worthy was an All-American as a junior in 2011, logging 3½ sacks and 10½ tackles for loss for the Spartans.

But that never translated to the NFL.

Worthy started four games and appeared in 14 as a rookie, logging 14 tackles, 2½ sacks and a forced fumble after being moved outside to defensive end.

Worthy sustained a knee injury at the end of his rookie campaign, missing the final two games, and he wasn’t activated from the reserve/physically unable to perform list until late November 2013.

He played in just two games and made one tackle.

He was traded to the New England Patriots last Aug. 13 after not being able to participate in training camp because of a back injury, but was cut by the Patriots on Aug. 30.

He joined the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs in September, was released in October but re-signed days later. Worthy signed a futures contract with the Chiefs on Dec. 31.

In 2012, Worthy ranked 30th among 34 3-4 defensive ends with an overall grade of minus-14.8 in 467 snaps from Pro Football Focus. His grade for two regular-season games and a playoff game in 2013 was minus-0.6 for the 14 snaps he played.

Grade: F

Next: No. 62 overall