Packers 2016 Draft: Ranking the top-25 edge rushers

Tier 2: Early-Round Edge Rushers

7. Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State (6-3, 243, 4.69)
As one of the better athletes at the position, Correa also has the production and impressive film to back it up. He looks very natural and fluid when playing in space or dropping in coverage. He’s also very active against the run and will make a lot of plays in pursuit coming off the edge. Used at both defensive end and outside linebacker, Correa also shows the versatility to play in any scheme in the NFL, but many feel his ideal fit is at outside linebacker in a 3-4 front.

Having already drawn comparisons to Clay Matthews from scouts and analysts, Correa would be a tremendous player for the Packers to land in the draft next week. He can move inside and stop the run between the tackles or run sideline-to-sideline as a chase linebacker. But, he also has the explosive ability off the snap and quick-twitch athleticism to get after the quarterback off the edge and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. As a two-year starter, the Boise State defensive end recorded 19 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. (Projection: Round 2)

8. Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida (6-3, 285, 4.93)
Bullard is a great player and worth mentioning here, but I’d be surprised if he’s even considered by Green Bay. He’s not a fit at either outside linebacker or defensive end in their 3-4 front. He’ll most likely play end or three-technique defensive tackle in certain 4-3 defenses in the NFL. Many envision a similar role for him in the mold the Seattle Seahawks use Michael Bennett as a defensive end on early downs and then kick him inside as an interior rusher on third downs. (Projection: Round 2)

9. Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State (6-5, 245, 4.72)
With great length, size, and athleticism, Fackrell is one of the more intriguing 3-4 outside linebackers in this draft class. The former Aggie played all over Utah State’s defense, lining up on the edge, off the ball as an ILB, or with his hand on the ground over the guard as an interior rusher. Fackrell’s versatility makes him an exciting player for a 3-4 team like the Packers that like to use their players in multiple roles.

However, Fackrell’s best attribute is still getting after the quarterback as a stand-up edge rusher. Many will point to his lack of production in college, where he only recorded 12 career sacks in three full seasons. However, he was widely underused in Utah State’s system and dropped in coverage far too often instead of being set free to rush the passer. According to PFF, Fackrell dropped in coverage 192 snaps in his senior year alone, but still graded out well.

When he did rush, Fackrell was largely successful, recording 13 hurries and finishing third amongst 3-4 outside linebackers in pass rush productivity in 2015, according to PFF. Fackrell is athletic off the edge with good burst and bend to get around tackles. He will drop on some draft boards though because he’s not a great fit in 4-3 systems. (Projection: Rounds 2-3)

10. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State (6-4, 251, 4.82)
Calhoun was a really productive pass rusher in college, recording at least 7.5 sacks in each of the three seasons he started for the Spartans. As an undersized college defensive end, Calhoun may get pegged as situational pass rusher in the NFL. In fact, Calhoun really struggled as a run defender in college and showed a lack of strength and technique to anchor and hold the edge against the run. This is the major caveat with his game, which could limit his role at the next level.

He also doesn’t possess the athleticism, speed, or ability to move fluidly in space to make the transition to outside linebacker with confidence. He’s a bit of a one-speed player, instead of the quick-twitch athlete teams look for in an explosive edge rusher. Granted, his production against Power-5 competition and quick burst off the line should still hold some value in draft war rooms. (Projection: Rounds 2-3)

11. Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia (6-3, 259, 4.77)
Jenkins is an easy player to like on film. His motor never stops and he plays with his heart on his sleeve. He’s a tough downhill outside linebacker who’s physical at the point of attack and sets a strong edge against the run. However, Jenkins is only an average pass rusher. He only recorded five hurries and four sacks in 2015, two of which came against a less than stellar Vanderbilt offensive line.

The lack of production is a major concern, especially considering his teammate Leonard Floyd took a majority of the opponent’s attention in pass protection. As a four-year starter at Georgia, Jenkins has never exceeded five sacks in a season, even though he rushed the passer nearly twice as many snaps as Floyd.

In fact, Jenkins rarely dropped in coverage in the Bulldogs defense, and when he did, he looked stiff in space. Some have suggested Jenkins should move to inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme because he’s such a tough run defender, which I could see. (Projection: Round 3)

12. Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconsin (6-1, 244, 4.76)
I’m a huge fan of Schobert’s game. In 2015, he was one of the top pass rushers in college football, recording 9.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, and 19.5 tackles for loss. According to Pro Football Focus, Schobert led the nation in pass rush productivity (+22.7 grade). He has one of the quickest first steps out any player coming out of college. He explodes off the edge and shows good agility to bend around tackles and get after the quarterback. His hustle is also tremendous, which enables him to make a lot of second-chance plays.

However, Schobert doesn’t possess the frame teams look for in an edge rusher. Ideally, teams would like him to be taller and stronger at the point of attack. This will definitely hurt his draft stock on some boards. Although, he is athletic enough and has good enough instincts to make the move inside in a 3-4 system or play as a 4-3 outside linebacker.

Despite his versatility, the best attribute to his game remains his ability to get after the quarterback, so if drafted by the Packers, I’d still give him a chance to play as an outside backer. But, if this doesn’t work out, Schobert still offers a lot of value as a potential inside linebacker in the Packers defense. (Projection: Round 3)

13. Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland (6-2, 252, 4.75)
One of the better pass rushers in college football in 2015, Ngakoue’s best fit in the NFL is at 3-4 outside linebacker. Not only did the former Maryland defensive end finish second in the FBS in sacks with 13.5, he also recorded an impressive 41 total pressures against Power-5 teams last season, according to PFF. Ngakoue has a good blend of power and quickness as a pass rusher, and his relentless motor allows him to create havoc off the edge.

Having said this, Ngakoue is only an average athlete and with a stocky build, and he may face a major learning curve when being asked to drop in coverage and play from a two-point stance. He doesn’t move quite as smoothly when dropping in space as the other edge rushers in this class. According to PFF, he spent 87% of his snaps playing from a three or four-point stance. (Projection: Rounds 3-4)

Next: Tier 3: Mid-Round Edge Rushers