Green Bay Packers: Breaking Down Each 2015 Draft Pick
By Kenn Korb
Dec 20, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns defensive lineman Christian Ringo (9) celebrates after a sack with teammates defensive lineman
Justin Hamilton(6) and defensive tackle
Jacoby Briscoe(90) during the second half of the New Orleans Bowl against the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Neveda 16-3. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Round 6: Christian Ringo (DE)
Hey look, another pick to fill a “need.”
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It wasn’t as high as you’d expect for the defensive line to be addressed; many had it right behind ILB in the needs department.
Apparently Green Bay doesn’t agree.
They had a golden opportunity to grab Malcom Brown in the first round, where he could have been the defensive tackle mounted at the front of the defense for years to come. For better or worse, they went with Randall there instead.
There were plenty of other defensive linemen off the board throughout the rounds proceeding this one, some of which Green Bay also could have given a look, but no luck on finding one they adored enough to select.
This must mean Green Bay really likes what they already have on the roster.
That can’t sound too inspiring to fans, what with those guys already here being a bottom-ten run defense by the end of 2014.
But having Mike Daniels (rising star at his position), Letroy Guion & B.J. Raji (both re-signed; should rotate at the nose tackle spot), Datone Jones (former first rounder with athletic potential), Josh Boyd (rotational end), and Khyri Thornton (last year’s third rounder; missed 2014 for injury)– plus other end-of-rotation options — the Packers must feel they have enough there to work with at least for this season.
If that’s the case, the supposed defensive line need that has been ascribed to Green Bay is null.
Either way, investing in a quick-twitch-type player like Ringo for cheap depth at the spot is a smart, low-risk play by Ted Thompson.