Green Bay Packers: Top 2022 NFL Combine Performers by Position
By Paul Bretl
Top combine performers on defense who may interest the Green Bay Packers
Edge Rusher
My expectation is that Za’Darius Smith will be cut in favor of the $15.2 million in salary cap savings, and the Packers will offer Preston Smith an extension as he enters the final year of his current deal. According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, the Packers and P. Smith’s representatives engaged in extension talks while at the combine.
But even though P. Smith and Rashan Gary formed one of the most productive edge-rushing pairs in football last season, the depth of that unit all season long was a concern and should still be addressed this offseason–it’s just too important of a position and a heavily rotated one at that. This is also a very good edge rusher class.
Boye Mafe, Minnesota, 10
Travon Walker, Georgia, 9.99
Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan, 9.86
Jermaine Johnson, Florida State, 9.86
Amare Barno, Virginia Tech, 9.73
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon, 9.67
Sam Williams, Ole Miss, 9.55
Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma, 9.5
Jeffrey Gunter, Coastal Carolina, 9.4
Dominique Robinson, Miami (OH), 9.39
David Ojabo, Michigan, 9.19
Josh Paschal, Kentucky, 9.09
Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati, 9.04
Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma, 8.91
George Karlaftis, Purdue, 8.88
Interior Defensive Line
Now, I will say, Kenny Clark did have more help in 2021. However, in terms of yards per carry given up and run DVOA, the Green Bay Packers run defense was actually worse in 2021 by those metrics. So there is certainly still room for improvement–not to mention that only four players are under contract for the 2022 season currently.
Jordan Davis, Georgia, 10
Logan Hall, Houston, 9.83
Thomas Booker, Stanford, 9.81
Travis Jones, UCONN, 9.65
Devonte Wyatt, Georgia, 9.63
Linebacker
The linebacker position will have to be addressed this offseason–there are only three players under contract at the moment, although ERFA Krys Barnes is essentially a guarantee to return. Barnes is a fine player, but as we saw in 2021, he can be much more effective playing the role of Robin rather than Batman.
The big question, however, is will Green Bay finally invest in the position? Will they find a way to pay De’Vondre Campbell? And if not, will they finally spend an early-round pick on the position in the draft?
Brandon Smith, Penn State, 9.99
Leo Chenal, Wisconsin, 9.99
Troy Anderson, Montana State, 9.98
Channing Tindall, Georgia, 9.82
Chad Muma, Wyoming, 9.79
Chance Campbell, Ole Miss, 9.75
Damone Clark, LSU, 9.74
Quay Walker, Georgia, 9.66
Devin Lloyd, Utah, 9.33
Christian Harris, Alabama, 8.81
Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State, 8.54
Jeremiah Moon, Florida, 8.4
Baylon Spector, Clemson, 8.31
Brian Asamoah II, Oklahoma, 8.27
Isaiah Graham-Mobley, Boston College, 8.2
Cornerback
The Green Bay Packers may have Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, but cornerback is a sneaky need. In addition to those two, there are only three other cornerbacks currently on the depth chart and combined, they have 38 career defensive snaps.
Tariq Woolen, UTSA, 10
Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State, 9.99
Alonte Taylor, Tennessee, 9.79
Akayleb Evans, Missouri, 9.63
Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama, 9.46
Jaylen Watson, Washington State, 9.29
Sam Webb, Missouri Western, 8.99
Chris Steele, USC, 8.68
Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State, 8.59
Chase Lucas, Arizona State, 8.17
Coby Bryant, Cincinnati, 8.1
Safety
This is another position similar to cornerback in the sense that while the Green Bay Packers have Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos, the depth is a concern. Henry Black had his issues in coverage last season, and there is very little experience on the depth chart behind those three.
On top of that, this is Amos’ final year on his current contract — but hopefully, he receives an extension — and Savage is in the last year of his rookie deal–unless the Packers pick up his fifth-year option for 2023, which may or may not happen.
Nick Cross, Maryland, 9.91
JT Woods, Baylor, 9.87
Lewis Cine, Georgia, 9.78
Tycen Anderson, Toledo, 9.67
Isaac Taylor-Stuart, USC, 9.59
Markquese Bell, Florida A&M, 9.53
Bubba Bolden, Miami, 9.23
Smoke Monday, Auburn, 9.23
Jaquan Brisker, Penn State, 9.13
Dane Belton, Iowa, 9.07
Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame, 9.02
Daxton Hill, Michigan, 8.91
Junayeh Thomas, Georgia Tech, 8.61