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Packers 2021 NFL Draft: Ranking 5 most realistic targets at no. 29

By Brian Sampson

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 26: Greg Newsome II #2 of the Northwestern Wildcats reacts after a play in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ryan Field on October 26, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 26: Greg Newsome II #2 of the Northwestern Wildcats reacts after a play in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ryan Field on October 26, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
Nov 14, 2020; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Zaven Collins (23) gets ready for a play during the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Tulsa won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Ranking Packers realistic draft targets: Zaven Collins, ILB, Tulsa

What makes the least sense to me in terms of a position Green Bay will target in the first round is inside linebacker. They already have two second-year guys they really like in Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin–both flashed last season. Furthermore, they haven’t shown they prioritize the position in the draft and are much more likely to nab somebody in the middle to late rounds.

On the other hand, I get the thinking behind this selection. Although both Barnes and Martin had some impressive moments in their rookie campaigns, they were incredibly inconsistent and struggled with injuries. With Vinnie Lyer mocking Zaven Collins to the Packers, they’d get a guy who is an athletic freak and has amazing size and length for the position. His biggest red flagare his struggles in the tackling department–kind of an important trait for inside linebackers.

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