6 2015 NFL Draft Picks Who Could Be Opening-Game Starters for Green Bay Packers
A rookie has to emerge as a special player in training camp to earn a starting job his first season, but it's not impossible.
In determining which prospects could come in as opening-game starters for the Green Bay Packers, we first must examine which positions have such openings.
The starting inside linebacker spot next to Sam Barrington is open, and a rookie could compete with and potentially beat out cornerback Casey Hayward for the starting job opposite Sam Shields. (In fact, if the Packers find a star cornerback in the draft, that situation could be ideal, as it keeps Hayward in the slot where he excels).
Though those are the most obvious positions where starting jobs could be up for grabs, they're not the only ones. If the Packers draft a playmaking tight end, he could earn the No. 1 spot on the depth chart and be utilized in two-tight end sets with Richard Rodgers.
There are other positions on the roster that could see a Day 1 shake-up at starter, including punter, but Tim Masthay's competition is already on the roster in Cody Mandell.
The criteria used for selecting the following six players—two inside linebackers, two cornerbacks and two tight ends—in addition to having a complete enough skill set to warrant a starting role, is that at least one from each position group must be a possibility for Green Bay in Round 1, 2 or 3.
Thus, ideally if the chips fell the right way in the draft, the Packers could potentially feature three of the following six players on opening day.
ILB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
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Are there any inside linebackers worth a first-round selection?
If there are, certainly UCLA's Eric Kendricks will be the first off the board. He's a complete inside linebacker, with the ability to get downhill to make plays on the ball as well as excel in coverage.
However, in CBSSports.com's most recent rankings, Kendricks now has a Round 2 ranking. There's no question Kendricks could be a starter next to Sam Barrington, but will general manager Ted Thompson like him at No. 30?
The 6'0", 232-pound prospect doesn't have ideal size for the position. However, he brings agility and motor to the table, playing more physically than his size would suggest.
Kendricks has an eye for diagnosing plays and can chase sideline to sideline, which would make him a perfect addition to Green Bay's front seven.
"Kendricks lacks the bulk of a traditional 3-4 inside linebacker, but his instincts, speed and ball skills could be the quick fix GM Ted Thompson is looking for," writes CBSSports.com's Rob Rang.
ILB Stephone Anthony, Clemson
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Another obvious opening-day starter, Clemson's Stephone Anthony is a complete defender like Eric Kendricks who can be used on first and second downs against the run and on third downs against the pass.
Anthony also has the best size at the position in this class, outside Benardrick McKinney, at 6'3", 243 pounds.
His size lends itself to being a physical run-stopper, and combined with his explosiveness, he would go a long way toward improving Green Bay's run defense in 2015.
Anthony combines the ability to come downhill and make a play on the ball, as well as cover against the pass. He's consistent in his tackling, and he can get physical while doing so without impacting the fundamentals and whiffing.
"He diagnoses early and does a good job of putting himself in position to make plays between the tackles against the run, and will hold his own when asked to drop back in short zone and cover the middle against the pass," write CBSSports.com's Derek Stephens and Rang.
CB Byron Jones, Connecticut
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How nice it would have been for the Packers if Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones could have remained an unearthed gem prior to the draft.
However, Jones' NFL combine and pro-day performances put him on everyone's radar, and as a result, he's earned a first-round grade from CBSSports.com.
In his buzzworthy performance at the combine, Jones was a top performer in every drill in which he participated: the vertical jump (44.5 inches), broad jump (147.0 inches, setting a combine and world record), three-cone drill (6.78 seconds), 20-yard shuttle (3.94 seconds) and 60-yard shuttle (10.98 seconds).
Jones began his career at Connecticut at safety, but he moved to cornerback. Despite that, however, he still has the inherent skills that could make him worthy of a Day 1 starting job at corner, including the ability to anticipate routes and speed.
Given the transition from safety, it's not surprising that Jones could work on his man-coverage skills, but his instincts and athletic gifts will make the team that drafts him very happy.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein writes that Jones "uses instincts and adequate closing burst to disrupt the catch."
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CB Eric Rowe, Utah
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Utah's Eric Rowe is a cornerback prospect I haven't written much about this offseason, but as his draft stock rises, he could become a potential target for the Packers in Round 2.
Rowe is currently ranked No. 6 at the position by CBSSports.com. He had one of the best performances at the NFL combine, as a top performer in every position drill from the 40-yard dash (4.45 seconds) to the broad jump (125 inches) to the 60-yard shuttle (11.48 seconds).
In 11 games in 2014, Rowe earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors, with 57 tackles and 13 passes broken up.
The thing about Rowe is, while he's well-versed in coverage as a result of playing in Utah's scheme, he's not going to lead the team in interceptions. Rather than a ball hawk, Rowe is a solid, long defensive back who can be disruptive on the outside and has enough straight-line speed, if not elite speed.
Some analysts think Rowe could project as a safety in the NFL, as well. While Rowe has the skills to compete with Casey Hayward in training camp for the outside job, Ted Thompson might also like his versatility and what that could add to Dom Capers' defensive scheme.
TE Clive Walford, Miami
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Miami's Clive Walford is talented and versatile enough to compete with 2014 rookie tight end Richard Rodgers in training camp for the starting tight end job.
But he'd also be a perfect complement to Rodgers' pass-catching skills in two-tight end sets as an excellent blocker.
Walford is an athletic and complete tight end, lining up in-line, in the slot and as an H-back at Miami. He had 44 passes for 676 yards and seven touchdowns in 2014, including 127 receiving yards in a game against Florida State in 2014.
Though he had knee surgery at the end of last season, he participated in the Senior Bowl and had a nice combine performance, especially in the 40-yard dash (4.79 seconds), vertical jump (35 inches) and broad jump (120 inches). That surgery should not affect his ability to compete for a starting job.
"With teams looking for versatile [tight ends] to create matchups in [two-tight end] sets, Walford's stock should be high," writes NFL.com's Zierlein.
Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette noted that Green Bay met with Walford at the combine.
TE Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
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In addition to their meeting with Miami tight end Clive Walford, the Packers also met with Ohio State product Jeff Heuerman at the combine, as Acme Packing Company noted.
Not convinced by his stats that Heuerman could be legitimate competition for Richard Rodgers? You have to go to the tape—the 6'5", 254-pound tight end was underutilized at Ohio State, partially due to a foot injury in 2014, and he could be a much better player in the NFL than in college.
Heuerman is one of the more complete tight ends in the class and could be both a pass-catching threat and a solid blocker at the NFL level. His strength, evidenced by his 26 bench press reps at the combine, is especially helpful in his blocking, but he can be moved all around the field.
He's a "strong finisher as a ball-carrier with excellent toughness, refusing to go down after the catch," according to Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com. "Heuerman has the versatility to line up in-line, backfield and in the slot and should have a much better NFL career than in college if he stays healthy."
Heuerman would give the Packers a dangerous red-zone threat and the ability to utilize two-tight end sets.
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