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Green Bay Packers: Ten first-round options in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (38) reacts during the game against the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (38) reacts during the game against the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) is unable to complete a pass while being defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) is unable to complete a pass while being defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

CB Eli Apple, Ohio State

The beauty of a draft-and-develop philosophy is you can’t predict which position the Packers will go to first. Green Bay is loaded at cornerback, but if Eli Apple is top of their board at No. 27 (and there’s a good possibility he is), there’s no reason why they shouldn’t take him.

In the draft, you should take the best football player on the board regardless of position. Cornerback is a premium position and you can never have too much talent. If Apple came to Green Bay, the secondary would be among the strongest in the entire league, which is crucial in a pass-dominant league.

Apple has good size at 6-foot-1, 199 pounds and he’s able to matchup with physical receivers, play on the outside or in the slot. No matter where he lines up, Apple would be productive in Dom Capers’ defense.

Imagine a scenario in which the Packers had Sam Shields, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and Apple at corner (that’s before we mention Ladarius Gunter) with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett at safety. That would be a secondary loaded with talent, youth and versatility with players able to line up at multiple positions.

Is cornerback a need? No — but if Apple is top of the board, take him.

Next: Depth in the trenches

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