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Packers 2016 Draft: Ranking top 10 first round options

By Freddie Boston

Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) reacts during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) reacts during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

5. DT Jarran Reed, Alabama

What he would bring to Green Bay: What better way to help fix the Packers’ leaky run defense than to go after arguably the best run-stopping defensive lineman in the entire class? Reed won’t light up stat sheets with sacks or pressures, but he can dominate at the point of attack and help stuff rushing attacks.

Reed can play multiple positions from nose tackle to five-technique in the Packers’ three-man front. He may only feature as a two-down player, but for those two downs the defense would have an exceptional talent on the field.

Why the pick would make sense: Stopping the run has been the Achilles heel on defense for far too long, and Reed would give the defense a major boost in this department.

With such a talented young secondary, setting up long third downs is critical to let them do their best work. Reed can do the dirty work up front that goes unnoticed but is necessary to dominate on defense. Dom Capers’ unit isn’t far away from consistently becoming a top-10 unit, and a player like Reed would help continue the trend in the right direction.

Next: No. 4

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