Green Bay Packers: 3 1st Round Linebacker Prospects
By Kenny Jilek
The Green Bay Packers recently re-signed De’Vondre Campbell to a big contract, so they’ll have the All-Pro linebacker in the middle of their defense, but having top tier talent at a position has never kept Brian Gutekunst from drafting that position in the past and they could really use another playmaker next to him.
Green Bay has plenty of draft capital after trading Davante Adams for a first and second round pick, so this could be the year they take a linebacker high up in the draft and there are some playmakers to be had there. Some of these guys could also drop into the second round and be candidates to trade up from one of their spots in that round to grab them.
Green Bay Packers LB Prospect #1 – Nakobe Dean
If you watched Georgia’s national semifinal win against Michigan, then you’re well aware of what Nakobe Dean can do on a football field. He had seven tackles, two for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble, while chasing standout running back Hassan Haskins all over the field.
That sideline to sideline speed is one of his best traits as a linebacker and throwing to a running back out wide against him or trying to get to the edge on a run is a death sentence for the running back. He also has a great motor and never gives up on a play. However, when teams run inside the box, he can struggle to get off blocks and make stops for short gains.
In the passing game, he is phenomenal at covering running backs. He can run with them, mirror their routes, and is great getting his hands on the ball which led to five pass breakups and two interceptions last season. Not only can he cover routes out of the backfield, but he was asked to split out wide with backs in man coverage as well and passed every test in that area with flying colors. He’s also an explosive blitzer and does a great job getting skinny between offensive linemen when shooting a gap and was able to convert that into six sacks in his senior season.