Green Bay Packers: What do the Scouting Reports Say About Jon Garvin?

The Green Bay Packers selected edge-rusher Jonathan Garvin in Round 7. Here is what a few draft analysts had to say about him in their final scouting reports.

With their final pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, at 242 the Green Bay Packers selected edge-rusher Jonathan Garvin out of Miami. And while at this point in the draft every selection is really just a lottery ticket, in terms of value, this might be the Packers’ best selection of the entire weekend.

When it comes to the edge-rusher position in Green Bay, the Packers are already in fantastic shape with Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith having dominant first seasons in Titletown. Not to mention that former 12th overall pick Rashan Gary began to make some noise at the end of last season and should see his role expand in 2020.

However, with the departure of Kyler Fackrell in free agency, who played in nearly 40 percent of the team’s defensive snaps last season, the Green Bay Packers are in need of a fourth edge-rusher. And don’t be surprised if it is Garvin who claims that spot this summer.

Garvin is an experienced player coming out of the University of Miami. As a true-freshman in 2017 he would appear in 13 games, and then start in 24 games over his final two seasons. During that two-year span, Garvin would total 97 tackles, 26 of which were for a loss, while also accumulating 10.5 sacks.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), over that same period of time, Garvin would record 43 run stops, 12 quarterback hits, and 33 hurries. Certainly very solid production for a late seventh-round selection who isn’t even 21-years-old yet.

For a more in-depth look at what Garvin can bring to this Green Bay Packers’ defense, here are the final scouting reports from a few draft analysts:

Kyle Crabbs – The Draft Network

"“Jonathan Garvin projects as a high ceiling pass rusher at the pro level. Garvin possesses the necessary first step, explosiveness and length to win off the edge — but he is in desperate need of more tools in his toolbox to shed blocks and consistently win off of first contact.Consider Garvin a developmental rusher; but he’s going to have to settle on a playing weight. Don’t think he played at his testing weight and certainly looked more explosive on film. Potential starter with more growth.”"

Joe Marino – The Draft Network

"“Miami defensive end Jonathan Garvin has some high-level flashes on tape that reveal an exciting skill set but they are too often marred by lackadaisical effort which reveals issues with play strength, urgency and contact balance.Garvin is a younger prospect that is far from maxed out physically which indicates there is plenty of room for him to develop. Garvin is a high-end developmental EDGE prospect that has a considerable ceiling if/when the switch flips. There aren’t any notable physical restrictions present, Garvin has to get stronger, play faster and become consistent.”"

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com

"“Traits-based edge defender capable of playing 4-3 end or 3-4 rush linebacker. Garvin’s strong 2018 was followed up with inconsistent effort and an inability to stamp his presence on games with much consistency.He gains depth upfield quickly and is fairly natural at defeating the punch and flipping the corner. Pressures are nice, but sack-makers get paid and that won’t happen unless he cranks up the effort and plays to his traits and potential. Garvin has Day 2 talent, but may not go until Day 3. However, there might be gold to mine if a coach can get it out of him.”"

A common theme among Garvin’s final evaluations is a lack of effort at times, which is a huge turnoff for any NFL team and could have been a big factor in why he was selected so late. With that said, if the Green Bay Packers can bring out that consistent effort from Garvin, he has the skill-set and potential to be an effective edge-rusher and a hidden gem in Round 7.