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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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Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Reggie Ragland, Alabama

In 2014, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to the Packers felt like a match made in heaven. This year, Reggie Ragland has a similar feel. Not only would Ragland fill one of the team’s biggest needs just as Clinton-Dix did, he would also offer great value at No. 27.

For a while, it looked like landing Ragland would require trading up. But now there is more confidence he could drop to Green Bay at the bottom of the round. With many teams above the Packers addressing the inside linebacker position in free agency, there’s an increasing chance he drops.

Ragland is an ‘old-school’ linebacker who hits hard and stuffs the run. He has the potential to become one of the best run defenders in the league at the position, and that sounds just about perfect for a Packers defense trying to improve against opposing rushing attacks.

A concern is his speed, and this is another reason why his stock might fall. Could he get beat too easily by quick pass-catchers in the NFL? It’s something worth monitoring. But when you turn on the tape what you see is a talented inside linebacker that would give the Packers a major upgrade at a position of need.

Next: Remaining free agency options for Packers at tight end

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