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Green Bay Packers: Five defensive line targets in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) gets tackled by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Chris Jones (98) during the first quarter in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) gets tackled by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Chris Jones (98) during the first quarter in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad offensive center Evan Boehm of Missouri (77) blocks North squad defensive tackle Vernon Butler of Louisiana Tech (93) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad offensive center Evan Boehm of Missouri (77) blocks North squad defensive tackle Vernon Butler of Louisiana Tech (93) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech

Unlike Reed, Vernon Butler out of Louisiana Tech is a gifted pass rusher. He has a number of ways to disrupt backfields and is another intriguing option for the Packers. Butler is bigger than Reed at 6-foot-4, 323 pounds, but also has plenty of athleticism.

Butler doesn’t just have great size, but also has the quickness to match. He can move well laterally and make life a misery for offensive linemen.

In a deep class of defensive linemen, it’s unclear just where Butler will fall. Some project him to fall late in the first round in the area of the Packers’ first pick, while others have him dropping deep into the second. Wherever he lands, the Packers could benefit from his services in a big way.

Butler could be used in a number of ways by the Packers, but he would probably be best fit at 5-technique due to his ability to get after the quarterback. With Butler at left end, Daniels at 3-technique and Guion at nose tackle, Green Bay’s defensive line could be a force to be reckoned with.

Imagine Butler and Daniels getting after the quarterback. Look out.

Next: Another early round talent

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