Packers 2016 Draft: Best available players on day three
By Kenn Korb
Joshua Perry, ILB
The weakness people have discussed most with this Packers team is, of course, the inside linebacker position.
It seems unlikely they would expect to find an immediate starter of quality here, but even with that taken into consideration, they need depth regardless. Even without targeting a starter on Day 3, they need someone who can compete with Sam Barrington and Jake Ryan and at worst sit behind them on the depth chart.
Perry is someone who could give a good challenge for either starter spot if given the chance, however.
When dealing with inside linebackers in a 3-4 base defense, the two guys usually have somewhat specific roles to fill; one is the thumper, the other the chase. The thumper is tasked with pounding in on the running game, having to meet the running back in the hole and stop him in his tracks. The chase is looked at more for coverage, as well as chasing down the play with their lateral quickness.
Perry would definitely be the thumper in this dynamic.
Perry brings many of the qualities that get talked about in terms of demeanor and overall style of play. He is big, strong and physical, with a healthy amount of grit thrown in for good measure. He wraps up well on his tackles (allowing just a single broken tackle the past two seasons), has good conditioning and plays hard through all four quarters.
My fellow Lombardi Ave writer Dan Dahlke (he’s pretty good in terms of this draft stuff; among other things, he saw that Kenny Clark pick coming) has been high on this guy for reasons like these (in that community mock, he had him going to Green Bay in the 2nd round), so I’m definitely not the only one who sees something here.
Next: Another interesting linebacker