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Packers 2016 Draft: Roundtable mock draft third round

By Freddie Boston

Oct 24, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Beniquez Brown (42) celebrates after a turn over during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 42-16. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Beniquez Brown (42) celebrates after a turn over during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 42-16. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Kentrell Brothers runs the 40 yard dash during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Kentrell Brothers runs the 40 yard dash during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Freddie Boston: ILB Kentrell Brothers, Missouri

Previous picks: DE Noah Spence, DT Austin Johnson

The Packers need to find an upgrade at inside linebacker at some point in the draft, and after passing up on the position through the opening two rounds, they could find their man in the third with Kentrell Brothers.

It was a surprise to see the Packers wait until the fourth round of last year’s draft to take an inside linebacker, and while Jake Ryan has the look of a solid player, the position is still a need. Clay Matthews is expected to move back outside on a full-time basis which exposes a lack of depth outside of Ryan and Sam Barrington.

Green Bay’s Achilles heel on defense for a number of years now has been stopping the run, and Brothers would help in that department. He is a tackling machine with great vision.

Next: Packers' top fifth-round picks under Ted Thompson

While Brothers’ athleticism and lack of speed has been called into question, he has flashed enough ability in coverage to make him a day two prospect. He will likely see the field mostly on the first two downs, but finding a linebacker who can help shut down the run and set up third-and-longs is important, and Brothers can do that.

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