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Green Bay Packers: Five players to avoid in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Oct 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tight end Tyler Higbee (82) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tight end Tyler Higbee (82) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) gets the crowd fired up during first quarter action versus the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State leads 14-0 at halftime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) gets the crowd fired up during first quarter action versus the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State leads 14-0 at halftime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

ILB Darron Lee

There’s no doubting Darron Lee’s talent, and he is a name to consider for the Packers who are in the hunt of an inside linebacker who can drop into coverage. With Lee’s speed and athleticism, he could fit the bill in Green Bay.

Here’s the issue: The Packers don’t have to spend their first-round pick at the position, and selecting him at No. 27 would feel more like drafting for need than truly going for the best player available. Now who knows, maybe Lee will be the best player available in the Packers’ eyes, and it’s their vision that matters the most.

But when you look at prospects like LSU’s Deion Jones who projects to be a second or third round selection, there’s reason to believe passing up on Lee would make sense.

While Lee has the speed teams covet, he can struggle when running backs run directly at him. You’ll see him make some excellent plays when forced to give chase from sideline to sideline, but when the play is taken to him it can produce different results.

Would Lee be an upgrade on what the Packers have at inside linebacker? Possibly. But they can address the position in the later rounds and go after another prospect on day one.

Next: A speedy wideout

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