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

By Dan Dahlke

Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston defensive back William Jackson goes through a workout drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston defensive back William Jackson goes through a workout drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Need #4 – Edge Rusher

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) works against Kentucky Wildcats offensive tackle Jordan Swindle (70). Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) works against Kentucky Wildcats offensive tackle Jordan Swindle (70). Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Top-10 3-4 OLBs

  1. Leonard Floyd, Georgia (6-6, 244, 4.60)
  2. Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky (6-2, 251, 4.80)
  3. Kamalei Correa, Boise State (6-3, 243, 4.69)
  4. Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State (6-4, 273, 4.63)
  5. Kyler Fackrell, Utah State (6-5, 245, 4.72)
  6. Jordan Jenkins, Georgia (6-3, 259, 4.80)
  7. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State (6-4, 251, 4.82)
  8. Joe Schobert, Wisconsin (6-1, 244, 4.76)
  9. Yannick Ngakoue, Maryland (6-2, 252, 4.75)
  10. James Cowser, Southern Utah (6-3, 248, 4.82)

Risers: Leonard Floyd, Kamalei Correa, Travis Feeney, Emmanuel Ogbah
Fallers: Kevin Dodd, Noah Spence, Jason Fanaika

Now the draft picture has become clearer, I thought it would be more interesting to only rank the edge rushers that project as 3-4 outside linebackers in the NFL.

This means top edge rushers like Joey Bosa, Shaq Lawson, Kevin Dodd, and Jonathan Bullard are not on this board because they are better fits as 4-3 defensive ends in the NFL, given their size, workout numbers, and stiffness when dropping in space.

Floyd may have been the biggest surprise for some at the combine. I’ve been high on him since his first year at Georgia, but many felt he’d fall out of the first round because of his wiry frame and lack of strength. Floyd showed up to Indy an imposing 6-foot-6 and 244 pounds and finished in the top-five at his position in the forty (4.60), vertical (39.6 inches), and broad jump (127 inches).

Floyd is an unique athlete with better explosion and power than people give him credit for. His tape is also impressive, given the fact he was asked to split time between inside and outside linebacker. It still amazes me so many people still underestimate one of the draft’s top edge rushers.

Correa and Ogbah also had great combines and really showcased their athleticism and ability to move in space. Correa is an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker, while Ogbah may be better suited with his hand down as a defensive end, he still possesses enough athleticism to rush standing up as an outside backer.

I moved Spence down a spot after posting only adequate workout numbers, but he still remains one of the better all-around edge rushers in the class.

New Names: Travis Feeney (6-4, 230, 4.50), Charles Tapper (6-3, 271, 4.59), De’Vondre Campbell (6-4, 232, 4.58), Stephen Weatherly (6-4, 267, 4.61)

A lot of new names surfaced during the combine. I hadn’t studied former Washington linebacker Travis Feeney prior to last week, and after seeing his tremendous workout numbers, I went to the film. Early impressions show a great athlete, but I need to see more on the field before I put him in my top ten.

Prior to the combine, I had always labeled Tapper as strictly a 4-3 defensive lineman. However, his workout numbers show he may be a candidate to rush from a two-point stance in a 3-4 front. He’s a player I will study more leading up to the draft.

Campbell and Weatherly are also intriguing prospects I still need to familiarize myself with.

Next: Need #5 - OT

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