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How the Green Bay Packers can build an elite defense

By Freddie Boston

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) and Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) sack Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) and Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) sack Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is grabbed by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is grabbed by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft a defensive lineman

This is a good year to draft a defensive lineman. The class is loaded with talent, which means there could be a number of talented players available to the Packers at No. 27.

A name that stands out is Jarran Reed out of Alabama. The Packers have a strong recent history of taking players out of Alabama — Eddie Lacy and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix were contributors from day one, and Reed could have the same effect.

Reed is an excellent run-stuffer and would fill in on a defensive line featuring Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion. Has the ability to eat blocks when asked to and he’s more than capable of handling double teams.

Another option could be Vernon Butler out of Louisiana Tech. Unlike Reed, Butler is a disruptive pass rusher and could be a handful to deal with alongside Daniels. Butler is projected as a late-first to early-second round talent.

There are a number of talented defensive linemen in this year’s draft which should excite Ted Thompson. Selecting one to plug into the Packers’ front three (possibly replacing free agent B.J. Raji) would help Green Bay win the battle in the trenches.

Next: Dial up the pressure

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