Green Bay Packers Draft Countdown: Making the Case for LB Mike Hull

Earlier this week, I wrote about why the Green Bay Packers should take a look at cornerback Quinten Rollins in the draft, one of the prospects in this year's class with high upside who's not an obvious choice at the moment. 

Continuing in that vein of targeting lesser-known prospects who would fit well in Green Bay, let's break down another prospect at a position of need: Penn State linebacker Mike Hull.

Given that the Packers essentially cleared the roster at the position this offseason, cutting former starters A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones and letting free agent Jamari Lattimore walk in free agency, building depth at inside linebacker is essential.

The Packers have Sam Barrington likely to slot into the "Mike" linebacker spot with an opening for a starter next to him. Ideally, the Packers will fill that second starting role in the first two rounds of the draft, perhaps with UCLA's Eric Kendricks, Miami's Denzel Perryman or Clemson's Stephone Anthony. 

Kendricks and Anthony are both skilled in coverage and quick, which would make them nice fits in the "Jack" linebacker role, which has more responsibility in pass coverage opposite the more run-stopping-oriented middle linebacker. 

However, Perryman excels as a run-stopper and could compete with Barrington for the "Mike" role, potentially sending the latter to the "Jack" spot. In either case, Barrington and a first- or second-round draft selection should earn the starting jobs in training camp, which means that the Packers will then need to look to the bench behind them.

Ht	Wt	Bench Press	3-Cone Drill	60-yd Shuttle	2014 Stats
6'0"	237 lbs	31 reps	6.99 seconds	11.52 seconds	140 T, 10.5 TFL, 2 sacks

Green Bay has outside-linebacker-converts Carl Bradford and Nate Palmer for depth, as well as 2014 undrafted free agent Joe Thomas. But there may be another college outside linebacker in this year's draft class who could beat those players out for snaps: Hull. 

The most recent "Linebacker U" product, Hull is the son of former Packers linebacker Tom Hull. As a starting outside linebacker for Penn State in 2013, Hull had 78 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.

However, Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop moved Hull inside in 2014, and he really excelled, leading the Nittany Lions with 140 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors.

Hull currently has a fourth- or fifth-round draft projection, per CBS Sports, which is reasonable for a player whom most analysts don't expect to start right away. But Hull could make an immediate impact on special teams, and 4-3 teams needing an outside linebacker may think that Hull's size would be best used inside in a 3-4 at the NFL level and pass on him.

Hull is small for an inside 'backer (6'0, 237 lbs, 30 ½" arms). However, he's fast and agile (6.99-second three-cone drill, 11.52-second 60-yard shuttle: both top-six performances at his position), strong (31 bench reps, second only to Vic Beasley among linebackers) and is excellent in the mental aspects of the position, such as diagnosing plays and reacting quickly.  

To say that his former coordinator was excited by Hull's combine performance would be an understatement. 

"

Mike Hull 31 reps on bench press at NFL COMBINE..Tell me if you've heard this before..Don't sleep on this guy! #BRIGHTFUTURE

— Bob Shoop (@Coach_ShoopPSU) February 21, 2015"

Hull is aware of his own strengths. "I'd say my best attributes are my instincts pre-snap," Hull said prior to the combine, per Nick Fierro of The Morning Call. "I pretty much know where the ball is going to go just based on formation. Also speed and quickness—I use that to my advantage whenever."

Analysts agree with Hull's self-assessment. 

"He has excellent diagnose skills to break down the action and attack in the blink of an eye and is the type of player that the ball-carrier seems to find every snap," writes CBS Sports' Dane Brugler.

"Takes on blocks well and puts himself in position to make plays, working off contact and swarming to the ball. Aggressive angles and understands the quickest route to his target."

One area in which Hull could really help the Packers and earn playing time is in defending the team's now-familiar read-option-running foes. Hull is excellent at reading play-action and has the skills to actually act on his diagnosis. 

Watching Hull, it's hard not to think of former NFL linebacker Chris Borland. The two share more than a few traits: Both are thought to be undersized, have an incredible nose for the ball on every play, can chase sideline to sideline and show relentless determination.

Though Hull is small, he's happy to make contact on every play, never shying away from it. His shorter arms could allow some ball-carriers to slip by, but Hull makes up for that shortcoming by being a reliable tackler. 

Then there are the things that you can't teach. Brugler praises Hull's enthusiasm, leadership and football IQ, writing that Hull is "living for the game with a contagious passion."

That level of energy was often lacking over the middle for the Packers in the last two years, and if Hull can be a rallying force for the defense in the locker room, we might see improvement from the unit in 2015, even if he's not on the field. 

After the Packers find a day-one starter in the early rounds of the draft, they should circle back to Hull. He's a fundamentally sound, passionate and talented player who will push his teammates to be better and go a long way toward building the inside linebacker group.