Prospect Film Study: ILB Stephone Anthony a fit in Green Bay?
By Dan Dahlke
Clemson Tigers linebacker Stephone Anthony (42) tackles North Carolina State Wolfpack runningback Tony Creecy (26). Liz Condo-USA TODAY Sports
Going into the NFL Draft, it’s clear addressing the inside linebacker position will be one of the Green Bay Packers‘ top priorities.
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With the recent release of last year’s starters, Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk, the Packers front office has clearly hit the reset button at the position.
Now as the draft nears, the Packers are tasked with the challenge of finding “the player” they can develop into a staple in the middle of their defense and end several seasons of mediocre play at inside linebacker.
One prospect the Packers might seriously consider on draft day is former Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony.
A.J. Hawk has played his final down with the Green Bay Packers.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
Anthony has the ideal size (6-3, 246 pounds) to play on the inside in the Packers 3-4 defense and is a great blend of speed and power at the position. His 40 time (4.56) was one of the fastest among all linebackers at the NFL Combine.
Now, according to reports by Draft Insider’s Tony Pauline the Packers have shown interest in the Clemson product and could consider him in an early round this spring.
NFL.com’s Charles Davis even has the Packers taking Anthony in the first round in his latest mock draft.
With the recent buzz on Anthony as a possible Packers’ draft pick, I decided to look at the film on the inside linebacker to see if he’d really be a good fit for the Packers defense.
The following is an in-depth look at Anthony’s game with select clips from the film (courtesy of draftbreakdown.com) to highlight what he brings to the field as an NFL prospect.
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