Green Bay Packers 2015 NFL Draft: Breaking down the inside linebacker prospects
By Dan Dahlke
Florida State Seminoles quarterback Sean Maguire (10) is pressured by Clemson Tigers linebacker Stephone Anthony (42). Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Packers Pick: Stephone Anthony (Rounds 1-2)
Personally, I hope the Packers walk away from the draft with one of the top three prospects (McKinney, Anthony, or Kendricks) on their roster.
However, I personally lean toward Anthony as the best fit in the Packers defense. He has the size and explosiveness to be wrecking ball against the run, but he also has the speed and athleticism to make plays outside of the tackles and hold up well in coverage.
Earlier, I compared Anthony to Desmond Bishop, and I could see the former Clemson linebacker playing a similar role on the Packers defense Bishop did in the prime of his career.
With 4.56 speed, covering athletic tight ends or backs shouldn’t be a problem for Anthony at the next level.
More from Lombardi Ave
- Packers: Picks in NFL.com mock draft would be a home run
- Packers salary cap update following second week of free agency
- Packers’ cornerback depth chart after second week of free agency
- Packers’ edge rusher depth chart after second week of free agency
- Packers’ tackle depth chart after second week of free agency
He can also really lower his shoulder and knock players out. It’s this tough, fiery approach that makes you enjoy his game when watching him play.
He would add another physical presence alongside Barrington in the middle of their defense and could be the three-down linebacker they’ve been missing on their roster for some time now.
He’s a true playmaker at the position, and despite needing to clean up certain parts of his game, he has perhaps the most upside out of any linebacker in this draft class.
He’d be an easy pick for the Packers to make if he’s still available in the second round, but if they like him enough, they could even take him with the 30th overall pick.