Lombardi Ave
FanSided

Green Bay Packers: Five inside linebacker targets in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) tackles Texas A&M Aggies running back Tra Carson (5) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M Aggies 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) tackles Texas A&M Aggies running back Tra Carson (5) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M Aggies 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Jan 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes with the football as Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan (47) defends during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes with the football as Green Bay Packers linebacker Jake Ryan (47) defends during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Once again, the Green Bay Packers need to address the inside linebacker position. Here’s some potential targets for the Packers in the 2016 NFL Draft.

A year ago it looked like the Green Bay Packers were restarting at the inside linebacker position. A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones were released and it looked as if general manager Ted Thompson would make it a priority to fill the need. But sticking true to his ‘best player available’ approach, it wasn’t until the fourth round that the Packers got their guy in Jake Ryan.

Ryan grew into his role as the season went on and looks to have a promising future in Green Bay, but the position still needs to be fixed. Clay Matthews was forced to play the majority of the season inside rather than doing what he does best which is causing nightmares for quarterbacks.

Mike McCarthy had seen enough, and made it clear Matthews will start at outside linebacker in 2016. For that to happen the Packers must find talent from somewhere, whether in free agency or the draft. The latter looks to be the most likely scenario. Here’s five players they could target in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Next: A mid-round target

Home/Green Bay Packers Draft