Green Bay Packers: Five biggest NFL Draft needs
By Josh McPeak
1. A True Pass Rusher
Matthews isn’t getting any younger. Perry can’t ever seem to play without a club or an injury of some sort. Kyler Fackrell may never be the pass rusher many hoped he would be.
Mike Daniels, Muhammad Wilkerson and Kenny Clark will get pressure on the quarterback. Their primary role, however, is to stop the run. The defensive line is very intriguing entering the 2018 season.
If the Packers want to improve their secondary, they must develop a pass rush. You can’t ask your corners to cover opposing receivers for seven-plus seconds. If the Packers want to win the turnover ratio, they must establish a pass rush.
Once Green Bay can consistently get to the opposing quarterback, a hidden group of talent will be uncovered, already on the roster in the secondary.
The heartbeat of a defense is getting pressure on the quarterback. Mike Pettine must develop a pass rush in order to have a successful stint as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.
N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb will likely be gone in the first three picks tonight. Green Bay would have to be very bold in order to move up and grab the talented pass rusher. That’s not going to happen.
Marcus Davenport has Julius Peppers like size and similar athleticism. The UTSA defensive end can play with a hand in the dirt or standing at outside linebacker. His biggest knock is the level of competition he has faced at the college level. It will be interesting to see how high teams are willing to go on the raw prospect with a potentially huge upside.
Tremaine Edmunds is a very interesting prospect from the University of Virginia Tech. The outside linebacker is a tackling machine. Edmunds recorded over 100 tackles in each of his last two seasons as a Hokie. He likely won’t be around at number fourteen, but definitely a player worth moving up a few spots for. Green Bay needs a physical linebacker that is not only a sure tackler, but can also rush the passer. It’s surprising there aren’t more rumors of Brian Gutekunst moving up in hopes of landing Edmunds.
That could change tonight.
Harold Landry is probably the most popular pick in the majority of the mock drafts out there. The Boston College defensive end is an undersized, overrated prospect. If the Packers reach for Landry at number 14, it would be a waste of a first-round pick. Jamal Reynolds version 2.0 (google it for you younger fans). His 16.5 sacks as a junior create a mirage over his liability in the run game and less than stellar senior season.
Next: Packers: 5 bold predictions for the NFL Draft
There you go. Now kick back, grab a cold one and let’s see how it plays out. Stay tuned into Dairyland Express as we keep you up-to-date on everything regarding the Green Bay Packers 2018 NFL Draft.