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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 /
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Nov 7, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) gets the crowd fired up during first quarter action versus the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State leads 14-0 at halftime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) gets the crowd fired up during first quarter action versus the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State leads 14-0 at halftime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Darron Lee, Ohio State

If Green Bay wants to find an inside linebacker in the first round, Darron Lee is a name to circle. Lee has been rising up draft boards after testing well, but there’s a chance he drops to No. 27, especially after so many teams in need of inside linebackers addressed the position in free agency (Danny Trevathan to Chicago among them).

Lee doesn’t have the desired size to play the position, but he’s considered to be the future of the position. He would bring speed to Dom Capers’ defense: Lee can run from sideline to sideline effortlessly and is strong in coverage. Covering tight ends and running backs in the middle of the field is an area the defense needs to get stronger, which is where Lee could come in.

The Packers have also had their struggles with mobile quarterbacks in recent years. Capers still has nightmares about Colin Kaepernick’s dominance over Green Bay early in his career, and adding a player like Lee would give the defense a player quick enough to defend passers on the run.

Some believe Lee will now be taken much earlier than the Packers at No. 27, but if he’s there, it’s a name worth considering.

Next: Could make the move inside

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