Dairyland Express
Fansided

Green Bay Packers: 5 players to avoid in the first round

By Brian Sampson

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Head Coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sidelines in the first half during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 26, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Head Coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sidelines in the first half during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 26, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

4. Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia

Roquan Smith is possibly the most polished linebacker coming out this season and provides teams with a player who’s ready to jump into the starting lineup and contribute from day one.

Similar to James, Smith is another great collegiate player who projects well in the pros. However, even though the Packers have little depth at inside linebacker after the departure of Joe Thomas, they still have good, quality players at the top of their depth chart.

Jake Ryan, although inconsistent, has proven to be a capable player. And Blake Martinez continued to get better and better and will be one of the most exciting players in a green and gold uniform to watch this season.

I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Clay Matthews slide over to the inside linebacker position again this season, after playing exclusively outside last year. New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has already said he loves Matthews versatility.

Ryan, Martinez and Matthews should combine to give the Packers a nice trio of inside backers to rely upon. Adding Smith would simply cluster everything up and not provide Green Bay with a player at an impact position they need this season.

Home/Green Bay Packers