Packers 2016 NFL Draft: Complete list of prospect interviews
By Dan Dahlke
In the buildup to the 2016 NFL Draft, we have spoken to a number of draft prospects. Here’s the full list of potential future Packers we’ve interviewed.
The 2016 NFL Draft is finally here and now it’s time to see which talented prospects the Green Bay Packers will add to their roster this weekend.
Throughout the spring, fellow Lombardi Ave writer, Ralph Mancini, and I have reached out to various prospects we believe the Packers could consider selecting come draft day, and we both feel grateful for how many players responded and took the time to answer our questions and share their thoughts about the draft process.
Several players also voiced how they’d feel about playing in Green Bay if the Packers selected them. Overall, these exclusive player interviews gave us a glimpse at who Green Bay could potential get if they do indeed pull the trigger on one of these prospects with one of their nine selections in the draft.
The following is a link and a brief summary of each player interview we’ve run on the site this spring. If you’ve missed any and have a few moments today to do some last minute reading before the draft begins, I encourage you to check them out.
2016 Prospect Interviews
Running Back
Peyton Barber, RB, Auburn
Barber talks about his passion for the game and his rugged, physical running style. He also offers insight in what he’d like to accomplish in his NFL career and what he’s already learned from studying Eddie Lacy’s game.
Joshua Ferguson, RB, Illinois
Ferguson is a dynamic halfback, who put together an impressive resume as both a runner and receiver in the Fighting Illini offense. One of Illinois’ all-team leaders in all-purpose yards speaks on his experience at the East-West Shrine game, his ability to make plays out in space, and how he feels his game would complement the Packers backfield.
Marteze Waller, RB, Fresno State
As a big-play back in college, Waller’s blue collar approach to the game of football and his incredibly productive career at Fresno State make him one of the more intriguing running back prospects in this draft. Not only was a he Davante Adams’ former teammate, but Waller also admires Lacy’s game. The former Bulldog running back sees himself as a tough, no-nonsense downhill runner.
Tight End
Darion Griswold, TE, Arkansas State
With a strong basketball background and good athleticism, Griswold fits the mold of the modern NFL tight end. However, his production on the field hasn’t always matched his athletic ability. Griswold offers insight into why some of his numbers dropped off his senior year. He also elaborates on his strengths and weaknesses as a tight end and where he sees himself going in the draft.
Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
As one of the top players at his position, Hooper will most likely come off the board in the second or third round. The former Stanford standout is not only a willing blocker in the run game, but also a dynamic receiving option across the middle of the field. Hooper shares what he feels he does best on the field and why he would be honored to be a Packer if Green Bay selected him this weekend.
Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State
Perhaps the top combo-tight end in the draft, Vannett may get overlooked because of his lack of production in his one year starting in the Buckeyes offense. However, he possesses all of the physical traits, athleticism, and toughness NFL teams desire at the position. Could he be a legitimate option for Green Bay in the draft?
Bryce Williams, TE, East Carolina
Williams may not grab all of the headlines leading up to the draft, but he leaves East Carolina as one of the most productive college tight ends in 2015. The underrated tight end talks about the strengths of his game, how he’d feel about playing in Green Bay, and what he could learn from veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson.
Wide Receiver
Chris Brown, WR, Notre Dame
He has speed, size, and big-play production at one of the best football programs in the country. Brown is an intriguing receiver prospect the Packers could target on day three of the draft. Brown discusses what led him to play for Notre Dame, what he was able to do to be successful agains some of the top defensive backs in college football, and what being drafted in the NFL would mean to him.
Devon Cajuste, WR, Stanford
Cajuste is big, tough, and a likely mid-round prospect. He may be one of the most physical receivers in this draft class, which is why many believe he could make the transition to tight end in the NFL. Cajuste talks this and much more in this exclusive interview.
D.J. Foster, WR/RB, Arizona State
Foster is a versatile offensive weapon who can play wide receiver, running back, and even kick returner. Regardless of his position, the form Sun Devil finds ways to make plays on the football field. As a former five-star recruit out of high school, Foster tracks his journey from making a major position change at ASU to what life is like for him as he’s on the verge of beginning his pro career.
Jay Lee, WR, Baylor
Many draft enthusiasts are well aware of Baylor receiver Corey Coleman, but very few are talking about the Bears other leading receiver, Jay Lee. In this exclusive interview, Lee shares his thoughts on being the underdog, how he was able to use the Senior Bowl to get scouts attention, and what he feels he could bring to an NFL roster, like the Packers, this upcoming season.
Jaydon Mickens, WR, Washington
Mickens may be small, but he offers plenty of playmaking ability as a wideout. The former Husky talks about his impressive pro day performance, his connections with former Packer running back Jonathan Franklin, and how he feels his game compares to dynamic NFL players like Randall Cobb and Tavon Austin.
Offensive Line
Stephane Nembot, OT, Colorado
A day-three tackle prospect, Nembot discuss his experience at the college all-star games, NFL Combine, and his performance at the Colorado pro day. As a former teammate of current Packers left tackle, David Bakhitari, Nembot also offers insight into how the Green Bay offensive lineman has helped him through the pre-draft process.
Defensive Line
Kenny Clark, NT, UCLA
A dominant PAC-12 defensive lineman, Clark can do it all at the position. He’ll be in the conversation for the Packers’ first-round pick. He sat down with us and discussed how his wrestling background helps him win in the trenches and why he’s a natural fit in the Packers 3-4 front.
James Cowser, DE, Southern Utah
The FCS record holder in career sacks (42.5), Cowser is a likely mid-round prospect who could make the transition to 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. He spoke with us about how he draws inspiration from Clay Matthews and how he’d feel honored to don the Packers uniform if Green Bay selected him.
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
A potential first-round pick, Ogbah’s a versatile edge defender who can rush the passer as either an end or 3-4 outside linebacker. The OSU pass rushers provides his insight on what makes him unique as a player, and what he feels he could bring to the Packers defense if they select him with their first overall pick.
Roy Robertson-Harris, DE, UTEP
With eerily similar physical traits and athleticism as Julius Peppers, Roberston-Harris is an intriguing day-three prospect. Versatile enough to play end or rush from a two-point stance as an outside linebacker in the Packers defense, Robertson-Harris should be on Green Bay’s radar. In this interview, the former UTEP defensive end discusses his visit with Green Bay and his comfort level with making the transition to a outside linebacker in a 3-4 front.
Linebacker
Cassanova McKinzy, ILB, Auburn
Some believe McKinzy’s draft stock took a hit when he made the transition to edge rusher in 2015, but McKinzy feels this only highlights his versatility and ability to rush the passer. The former Auburn linebacker also discusses the pride he takes in playing physical and how he feels adjusting to the cold in Green Bay would not be a problem for him.
Luke Rhodes, ILB, William & Mary
Smart, instinctive, and athletic, are only a few words that touch the surface of Rhodes’ game. As a late-round prospect, the former William & Mary linebacker could be a real steal in the draft. Rhodes sits down with us and tracks his journey from small-school prospect to potential NFL linebacker.
Elandon Roberts, ILB, Houston
Roberts is a heat-seeking missile at inside linebacker. After leading the FBS in solo tackles (88), he remains one of the more underrated prospects at the position going into the draft. He’s also one of the few prospect who have had an official visit with the Packers. Roberts talks about that experience and much more in this interview.
Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconsin
Schobert was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football in 2015, and he appears to a be a possible day two pick this weekend. As a Wisconsin native and former Badgers outside linebacker, Schobert talks about how it would be a dream come true to be drafted by the Green Bay Packers.
Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
He’s one of the best pass rushers in the class, and he had an official visit with Green Bay. Spence talks about what he feels he does best as a pass rusher, which NFL players he models his game after, and how he would feel about playing outside linebacker for the Packers if Green Bay drafted him this spring.
Defensive Back
Kevin Byard, SS, Middle Tennessee State
As a 215-pound safety, Byard has drawn comparisons to Arizona’s Deone Buccannon, and the former Middle Tennessee State defensive back is fine with that. Byard feels he can shine in a safety-linebacker hybrid role on an NFL defense–a position that is growing with popularity.
Juston Burris, CB, NC State
As a tall, physical corner, Burris should be on plenty of NFL team’s radar. After an impressive East-West Shrine game performance, Burris spoke with us about what he’s been able to do to get scouts’ attention during the pre-draft process and how he’d feel blessed to play for the city of Green Bay if the Packers drafted him.
Lloyd Carrington, CB, Arizona State
Once lined up alongside Packers defensive back, Damarious Randall, Carrington hopes to follow a similar career path to the NFL. The ASU defensive back also speaks on his approach to the NFL Draft and the parts of his game he worked on improving this spring.
DeAndre Houston-Carson, DB, William&Mary
A very productive small-school prospect, Houston-Carson has generated a lot of buzz this spring as a possible late day-two prospect. The former William & Mary safety elaborates on what he was able to accomplish down at the Senior Bowl and how being drafted would truly be a blessing for him.
Jordan Lucas, DB, Penn State
He can play corner, safety, or nickel back. Lucas is one of the more versatile defensive players in this draft class and guy that could hear his name called in a middle round of the draft. Lucas talks about his experience at Penn State, where he sees himself fitting in the NFL, and what he could learn from veterans like Sam Shields and Morgan Burnett if drafted by the Packers.