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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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Oct 10, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Austin Johnson (99) during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Indiana 29-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Oct 10, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Austin Johnson (99) during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Indiana 29-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /

Austin Johnson, Penn State

We’re moving into second round territory now with a player who could be an anchor at nose tackle for the Packers. Austin Johnson is an example of a dominant defensive lineman who could fall lower in the draft due to so much talent at the position in the draft.

Johnson is a powerful player who could be plugged in at the heart of the Green Bay defensive line. When watching the tape, you see a man that simply dominates against the run. He has drawn some comparisons to the Bears’ Eddie Goldman, who is fresh off an excellent rookie campaign in John Fox’s 3-4 defense.

The Packers need to upgrade their run defense. Part of this will be bolstering the group of inside linebackers, which has been an area of need for some time now. But improving in the trenches would also go a long way to stuffing opponent’s ground games.

Johnson has fallen to the Packers in the second round in a number of mock drafts and there’s a good chance it happens in the real thing. In Green Bay, he could come in and play nose tackle early on, giving the Packers a much-needed boost against the run.

Next: A mid-round option

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