Green Bay Packers: 5 pass rushers to consider in 2018 NFL Draft

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Shaquem Griffin #18 of the UCF Knights celebrates after sacking Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers (not pictured) in the third quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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3. Genard Avery, Memphis

Genard Avery is an inside linebacker, but that doesn’t mean Green Bay shouldn’t consider selecting him in the draft. Blake Martinez came on strong last season and Jake Ryan is serviceable. Also, Joe Thomas is no longer with the team and it sounds as if Matthews might be playing some inside backer as well.

That still leaves the Packers at least two guys short for depth.

Enter Avery who has shown a great ability to get after the quarterback at Memphis. He has 21.5 career sacks and increased that total every year of his college career. He also finished with 44.5 tackles for loss including 22 his senior season.

He played both inside and outside at Memphis, but it may be a bit of an unnatural fit as a linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He should be able to make it work, however, as he has great size at 6-foot-1 and 255 pounds.

Although he probably won’t contribute right away on defense, he’ll be a beast on special teams and can help make up for the loss of Jeff Janis. The Packers can likely get him in the 4-5 round range.

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