Green Bay Packers: Depth at OLB in question after Vince Biegel’s injury
Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson pleased many Wisconsin Badgers fans late last month when he selected OLB Vince Biegel in the fourth round of the NFL 2017 Draft.
It was a great pick that would bring a blue collared, hard working Wisconsinite to Packers News, while at the same time addressing a need the team had at a position where they lost All-Pro and future Hall-of-Famer Julius Peppers.
Thompson signed longtime Packer OLB Nick Perry to a five-year contract during the free agency period, but the position was still in need of players who could add talent and depth.
That’s when Biegel entered the picture.
However, when it was announced this week that Biegel underwent foot surgery and would probably be out until the start of training camp, many began to look at the position as one of weakness from one of strength.
There were those (myself included) who began chanting the name of Elvis Dumervill. Though the longtime Bronco and Raven has seen his better days, the thought is that he could be an excellent rotational player who could contribute on the field and off the field as well.
While that may be a good stopgap measure for the Packers, the long-term problem still exists – one that won’t be fixed just by signing a once-great player.
Consider that both Perry and Clay Matthews have suffered from a number of various injuries through the years and the fact that Matthews just turned 31 and is riding a contract that expires in a couple of seasons, it might be best if Thompson take a look at how best to fill that position for the long run.
Could it be one of the undrafted free agents who pepper the roster? Could one of those players emerge during the upcoming offseason workouts, OTAs, minicamps and training camp?
Could the problem be solved by giving the likes of Jayrone Elliott and Kyler Fackrell who could have breakout seasons?
Only Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy will have the answer to all of these questions.
More than likely, it would have to be a free agent who catches the eye of the coaching staff. That doesn’t happen often, but in Green Bay it happens more often than not.
Will the Packers finally give Elliott and Fackrell a shot at proving their worth and place on the roster?
Or maybe it’s bringing in a guy like Dumervill who could be signed on th.e cheap.
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This is most likely an issue that’s going to continue to float around until Biegel gets back on the field, stays healthy and becomes a productive member of the team.
We will all be watching this situation closely.