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Green Bay Packers Draft: Pre-Combine Rankings for Positions of Need

By Dan Dahlke

Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) hits Ohio State Buckeyes running back Jalin Marshall (17). Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) hits Ohio State Buckeyes running back Jalin Marshall (17). Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Need #4 – Edge Rusher

Colorado State quarterback Nick Stevens (left) is sacked by Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Kamalei Correa (8). Austin Humphreys/The Coloradoan via USA TODAY Sports
Colorado State quarterback Nick Stevens (left) is sacked by Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Kamalei Correa (8). Austin Humphreys/The Coloradoan via USA TODAY Sports /

Top-10 Edge Rushers

  1. Joey Bosa, Ohio State (6-5, 275)
  2. Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky (6-3, 254)
  3. Shaq Lawson, Clemson (6-3, 270)
  4. Leonard Floyd, Georgia (6-3, 235)
  5. Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State (6-3, 275)
  6. Kevin Dodd, Clemson (6-5, 275)
  7. Kamalei Correa, Boise State (6-3, 245)
  8. Jonathan Bullard, Florida (6-3, 283)
  9. Kyler Fackrell, Utah State (6-5, 244)
  10. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State (6-5, 252)

The Breakdown: Bosa and Lawson will probably be the first two pass rushers off the board and should make a home in the NFL as dynamic 4-3 defensive ends.

Spence, Floyd, and Correa are natural 3-4 outside linebackers, who could all go in the first round. They’re tremendous athletes and are explosive rushing from a two-point stance. Spence may be the best of the group, but his failed drug tests at OSU back in 2013 could hurt his draft stock.

Fackrell’s best fit is also rushing upright as an outside backer in a 3-4 front, but he may be more of an option near the end of the second round.

Ogbah and Dodd both have a good blend of power and speed and are versatile enough to play either defensive end or outside linebacker at the next level. Their game tape is nothing short of impressive.

Bullard is also an impressive player, but his size and lack of speed limit him to strictly defensive end or tackle in the NFL.

Outside the top ten, guys like Jordan Jenkins and Joe Schobert offer a lot of value as potential day two targets. They’re not elite athletes, but they both play with high motors and possess quick first steps, which enables them to beat their man around the edge with speed.

Most Overrated: Shilique Calhoun

Calhoun was a great college player–one of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten. However, he only seems like an average NFL talent. Some draft analysts have projected him in the first round, but his attributes on tape seem better suited in the late second or early third round.

As of now, Calhoun seems like a situational pass rusher at the next level. He can beat his man with speed off the edge, but his game lacks power. He also doesn’t show the consistency against the run to be a true three-down defensive end in the NFL. He also doesn’t seem athletic enough to drop as a 3-4 outside backer.

Most Underrated: Kamalei Correa

The buzz on Correa is steadily gaining ground in the draft community, but he’s still seldom mentioned among the top edge rushers in this class, which is surprising for a guy who amassed 19 sacks as a two-year starter at Boise State.

For 3-4 teams, like the Packers, they should put Correa near the top of their draft board. He’s an impressive athlete, shows good explosion off the edge, and possesses an array of pass rush moves to get after the quarterback.

Next: Need #5 - OT

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