Top 5 Players the Green Bay Packers Should Target in the NFL Draft
The countdown has begun. Only eight days stand between NFL teams and "Football Christmas": the NFL Draft. But instead of receiving presents from a wish list, teams like the Green Bay Packers are forced to wait their turns while all the best gifts are taken by others. Today, we take a look at the possibilities that will be available to Green Bay and which choices make the most sense.
But first, we must set some criteria. This isn’t your typical prospect list where we blindly select players from the first round in hopes that Green Bay chooses at least one.
Instead, we’ll take a more realistic approach to analyze positions of need throughout all available rounds. But as Grantland’s Bill Barnwell mentions, "Need is a relative term; the Packers have one of the deepest rosters in football and could do just fine in 2015 if they happened to forget about the draft and failed to show up altogether."
He’s joking but absolutely accurate. The Packers certainly have the talent to make a Super Bowl run, barring another breakdown in the NFC Championship Game. (Too soon? I apologize.)
In all seriousness, Green Bay is set to be a contender in 2015, barring injury concerns. The upcoming draft will not be to fill positions of need but to expand depth and playbook possibilities. Therefore, you will not see any quarterbacks on this list. But first, let’s look at the prospects who didn’t quite make the list.
Honorable Mentions
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Jamison Crowder, Duke
WR, 5'8", 185 lbs. Projected 4th-5th Rounds
Tied for the all-time receptions record in ACC history, Crowder is a small yet speedy receiver who can also have an immediate impact on special teams. For comparison, think of a Percy Harvin-DeSean Jackson type who will be able to act as a punt returner and effective slot receiver.
With the presence of Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and newly re-signed Randall Cobb, wide receiver is not an immediate need for Green Bay. However, imagine a receiver like Crowder lining up in the slot opposite Cobb and giving Aaron Rodgers unlimited options from the shotgun formation.
After an impressive bowl game in which he totaled 102 receiving yards and returned a punt for a touchdown, pro scouts were disappointed to see Crowder run only a 4.56 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Luckily for the Packers, this means the senior wide receiver will likely be available on the third day of the draft.
Jalen Collins, LSU
CB, 6'1", 203 lbs. Projected 1st-2nd Rounds
Projected to be chosen within the first two rounds of the upcoming draft, Collins is considered by NFL experts to be one of the top five cornerbacks coming out of college this year. He showed great speed running a 4.4 40-yard dash at the combine. But as Brandon Thorn of CBSSports.com adds, Collins has "poor reaction time, particularly versus smaller/quicker receivers. This really showed versus Amari Cooper."
Additional concerns arise when looking at Collins' collegiate experience. While he is certainly athletic and has the potential to be a big playmaker, Collins only started 10 games in the past three years with the Tigers.
A common issue with the NFL combine is that attendees are judged on freak athleticism in a series of workouts, ignoring past game performance. And while Collins could certainly experience success at the next level, remember that he could not beat out his own teammates for a full-time starting position.
Ellis McCarthy, UCLA
DT, 6'5", 338 lbs. Projected 6th-7th Rounds
Packers general manager Ted Thompson has drafted a defensive lineman in every single draft since joining Green Bay in 2005, and this season should be no exception. It's hard to miss a player like McCarthy, who is listed as the second heaviest defensive tackle in the upcoming draft.
Thompson has been able to find effective talent at the defensive tackle position with the likes of B.J. Raji, Letroy Guion, etc. But the position has needed frequent additions to bolster depth, with the occurrence of injuries and even legal troubles. McCarthy would provide a Vince Wilfork-like castle wall to stop any opposing rushing attack.
The issue is that McCarthy would in no way be considered a pass-rushing threat. And quite honestly, he'd be a lot of work from a development standpoint. After a mediocre junior season, McCarthy disappointed so greatly in the combine that he was forced to work out as both an offensive and defensive player at his UCLA pro day. The only reason McCarthy makes this list is that he could very well become a steal in the final round of the draft.
5. MyCole Pruitt
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MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois
TE, 6'2", 251 lbs. Projected 3rd-4th Rounds
MyCole Pruitt is easily the fastest tight end entering the NFL draft. Following a 4.58 40-yard dash time, Pruitt rocketed up draft boards. Those familiar with the names of Antonio Gates and Rob Gronkowski do not require a sales pitch on how effectively a speedy tight end can change an offense.
While he is insanely athletic, the issue keeping Pruitt from becoming a top pick is his route running. Dane Bruler of CBSSports.com regards Pruitt as a "lazy route runner…slowing in his breaks and not staying under control. Makes it too easy for defenders to anticipate his path, not consistently setting up his routes."
Now projected between the third and fourth round of the upcoming draft, Pruitt is worth taking a chance on. Ever since failing with the Jermichael Finley experiment, Green Bay has relied more on blocking tight ends. Pruitt would bring a change of pace to the position and provide advanced offensive opportunities for Rodgers and company.
4. Lynden Trail
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Lynden Trail, Norfolk State
DE/OLB, 6'7', 269 lbs. Projected 4th Round
Originally a Florida Gator, Lynden Trail took his talents to Norfolk State, where he started every game over his last two seasons.
Green Bay has seen great success from the dual defensive end-linebacker position. However, all past attempts have included players who are clearly more gifted pass rushers, such as Clay Matthews.
While experienced at both positions, Trail was featured primarily as a linebacker at Norfolk State. Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com writes, "Trail has the body bend to dip and run the arc at 45-degree angle without losing speed, displaying good get-off quickness and a consistent motor." Combine this pass-rushing ability with a free internship under Matthews and Julius Peppers, and Trail would certainly be set up for success.
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3. Denzel Perryman
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Denzel Perryman, Miami (FL)
ILB, 5'11", 236 lbs. Projected 3rd Round
The need for a quality inside linebacker comes as no surprise to Packer fans. Sharing time with an aging A.J. Hawk, Green Bay saw the likes of Sam Barrington and even Clay Matthews take up time on the inside. Since then, Hawk has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, and the ideal scenario would include Matthews returning to an outside pass-rushing role.
Denzel Perryman provides an interesting option for the position. Certainly Perryman brings plenty of experience after starting four seasons for the Hurricanes, a program famous for generating great NFL-caliber linebackers. Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com adds that Perryman is "arguably the best traditional Mike 'backer in the draft."
The only issue is that Perryman disappointed at the combine and scouts have not quieted on his lack of height. But fans have heard these concerns before, even following the success of the great Zach Thomas and more recently Chris Borland.
The good news for the Packers is that Perryman will likely now be available on the second day of the draft, as he is currently projected to be a third-round draft choice.
2. Danielle Hunter
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Danielle Hunter, LSU
DE, 6'5", 252 lbs. Projected 2nd Round
A fundamental issue with a 3-4 defensive scheme is that defensive ends tend to be strategically placed to be run-stoppers, allowing stand-up linebackers to rush the quarterback.
Danielle Hunter is a player that could alter that impression. Following several comparisons to the Cleveland Browns' Barkevious Mingo, Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com gives Hunter the "workout warrior label…The 2015 NFL Draft class has several candidates for this label, but two stand out: LSU's Danielle Hunter and Oregon's Arik Armstead."
The biggest concern surrounding Hunter, however, would be the transition to Green Bay's defensive scheme. It's easy to say that a young rookie could learn and develop under an experienced NFL staff. But the change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme is certainly difficult and could possibly prove too difficult for Hunter.
1. Marcus Peters
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Marcus Peters, Washington
CB, 6'1", 203 lbs. Projected 1st-2nd Rounds
With the departures of Tramon Williams and Davon House, Ted Thompson and company have put a large amount of trust in a young corps of cornerbacks. Adding some top young talent at this position could be a true turning point in success or failure for the upcoming 2015 season. Known for his physicality against receivers and an aggressive tackling style, Marcus Peters ranks fourth in all corners entering the draft, making him available for Green Bay's late first-round pick.
While certainly impressive, Peters is the absolute definition of a risk-versus-reward pick. Take a chance on the athletic Peters and a team might very well find the next great shutdown cornerback. However, unwanted attention could arise because of character concerns. Peters was eventually dismissed from Washington's football program as a result of a series of arguments with the coaching staff.
To say this drew red flags would be an understatement. Nevertheless, Peters happens to be so productive while on the field that he's still projected to be drafted within the first two rounds, should anyone wish to take a risk on the past off-field issues.
A player with Peters' character concerns certainly isn't someone that fits within the typical Packers philosophy. On the bright side, when compared to larger cities of New York, Miami and Los Angeles, Green Bay could very well become a perfect environment for him to prove a personality turnaround.
In fact, attitude changes are not completely out of the question. Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com compares Peters to Denver Broncos star cornerback Aqib Talib. And "just as Talib did when coming out of Kansas, Peters come with off-field concerns, but there is no questioning either cornerback's length, aggression and ball-skills."
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