Green Bay Packers: 3 bold predictions for the NFL draft

Green Bay will draft Devin Bush 12th overall

Much of the talk this offseason and what we have seen in mock drafts, has been around the Green Bay Packers taking an offensive lineman, a wide receiver, or an edge rusher with their first pick, and all do make a lot of sense. However, even with the addition of two edge rushers in free agency, the Packers need an off-ball linebacker to solidify their front seven.

Oren Burks didn’t see much of the field last season, even at the end of the year when the team was out of contention, which is a bit concerning since he may not have been grasping his defensive responsibilities. We hope he makes a big jump this year, but as of now, he is an unknown.

Josh Jones is given some opportunities and does very well in the box but as we’ve seen, he struggles in coverage. And Blake Martinez is about as reliable as you can get in a linebacker, but what Bush can provide as a defender is just different.

After Devin White and Devin Bush, there is a steep drop off in linebacker talent. Unlike the other positions listed above where Green Bay can find a solid contributor later in the draft, if they want a game changer at linebacker, it’s now or never.

There is the possibility that Green Bay could trade back and grab Bush, but I see him as a legit top 15 prospect in this draft and in trading back, there is some risk involved. If they feel that he is their guy, then just take him at 12.

Bush put up incredible combine numbers, which matched the open field ability that we see on tape. He will be an impact player right away as his range and athleticism allow him to line up just about anywhere on the field which Mike Pettine will love to have at his disposal.

Whether it’s blitzing, hitting, moving sideline to sideline or in coverage, Bush can do it all and he will give Green Bay a player that will affect all aspects of the game defensively.