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Packers 2016 Draft: Roundtable mock draft first round

By Freddie Boston

Oct 10, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Austin Johnson (99) during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Indiana 29-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Oct 10, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Austin Johnson (99) during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Indiana 29-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
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Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) throws a pass while under pressure from South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) throws a pass while under pressure from South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Freddie Boston: DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky

On talent alone, Noah Spence would easily be a top-15 pick. Multiple failed drugs tests at Ohio State got him kicked out of the school and he instead transferred to Eastern Kentucky. Whether Spence has indeed put his off-the-field issues behind him is uncertain and whichever team takes him will be rolling the dice, but the potential reward is worth it.

Spence is arguably the best pure pass rusher the draft has to offer, and this would give the Packers a rare opportunity to grab a top talent they normally miss out on while picking at the bottom of each round.

Mike McCarthy spoke about getting more consistent pressure on the quarterback, and at 36-years-old Julius Peppers’ snap count is going to continue its reduction. Adding a young, explosive pass rusher like Spence could help take the defense to the next level, which is all apart of McCarthy’s three-year plan for the unit.

With such a deep pool of defensive line talent in this year’s class, the Packers would be able to find upgrades to their front three on day two. The same is true at the inside linebacker position.

More packers: Ranking the top-25 defensive linemen in 2016 NFL Draft

Spence gives the Packers a rare opportunity to land a top-15 talent. Pairing him with Peppers and Clay Matthews could give the defense the spark it needs.

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