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Green Bay Packers: One Stat to Know About Each Draft Pick

By Paul Bretl

Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Amari Rodgers (3) runs the ball around Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Sevyn Banks (7) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Amari Rodgers (3) runs the ball around Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Sevyn Banks (7) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2019; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Kylin Hill (8) runs for a touchdown against the Abilene Christian Wildcats during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Cole Van Lanen Among the Best

I’ll start this by saying that PFF’s grades are far from the be-all-end-all. However, it is a very helpful tool when it comes to illustrating how good, or bad, a player is performing. Sure, when discussing those who fall in the middle, there is plenty of room for debate. With that said, if PFF grades someone extremely well, then they played extremely well. And when it comes to Cole Van Lanen, that was the case in 2018.

That was the first season that Van Lanen saw extensive action at left tackle for the Badgers. For the season, he allowed two sacks, six pressures, and he was also the top graded tackle in college football that season–quite an impressive feat. Admittedly we haven’t seen Van Lanen at that level since, but in 2019 he was hindered as he battled injuries, and this 2020 season was shortened due to COVID-19. Yet what this does show is the potential that he has.

Isaiah McDuffie and Special Teams

Sixth-round picks rarely have an immediate impact, at least not on the offensive or defensive sides of the ball–and that shouldn’t be the expectation for McDuffie. However, where he can make some noise right away is on special teams. This, of course, is an area that the Green Bay Packers have struggled mightily in for what seems like forever at this point.

With Maurice Drayton now at the helm, he will hopefully be the coach that turns this unit around, and McDuffie can certainly be a part of that. During his Boston College Career, McDuffie was on the field for 320 special teams snaps, and he brings some impressive speed, running a 4.61 40-yard dash, including a 2.63 20-yard split, which was among the best out of this year’s linebacker class. He should be a core special teams player from Day 1.

Kylin Hill as a Pass Catcher

We all know that it’s important for the running backs in the Matt LaFleur offense to be effective in the passing game as well, and that is an area that Kylin Hill is quite well versed in. During his career at Mississippi State, Hill was targeted 83 times, catching almost 81 percent of those passes at 9.4 yards per catch and with six touchdowns. This past season in Mike Leach’s air-raid offense, Hill had a whopping 27 targets in only two games.

Next. Salary Cap Will Be Major Issue Again in 2022. dark

While a bulk of his receptions came out of the backfield, Hill does have some slot experience, which, again, is something that will serve him well in the LaFleur system. Hill, along with Patrick Taylor, Mike Weber, and Dexter Williams, will be competing for the RB3 role this summer.

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus ($$)

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