Packers: 2017 draft class will lead turnaround on defense
By Jesse Fry
Vince Biegel
Biegel, as was the case with Adams, suffered and injury early in his rookie year and was behind the curve. A broken foot kept Biegel on the sideline for the first half of the season. And when he finally was able to play, he just wasn’t physically ready.
More from Lombardi Ave
- Packers: Picks in NFL.com mock draft would be a home run
- Packers salary cap update following second week of free agency
- Packers’ cornerback depth chart after second week of free agency
- Packers’ edge rusher depth chart after second week of free agency
- Packers’ tackle depth chart after second week of free agency
Having watched a ton of Badgers games while Biegel was playing at Wisconsin, it showed me what kind of player he can be. T.J. Watt got the headlines on a solid Wisconsin defense, but Biegel was the heart and soul of those teams. His hustle and nonstop motor helped him make plays. His football knowledge kept him in the right position time after time.
Biegel is capable of becoming a solid rotational pass rusher and all-around player. A full offseason should help him tremendously. Added strength and knowledge of the position teamed with Biegel’s motor will give the defense something it was missing last year, another pass rush option on the edge.
The Packers will add another edge rusher in the draft, maybe with their first-round pick. As is the case with a possible draft pick at DB, Biegel’s development can help the Packers not feel rushed to get a player that isn’t ready on the field too soon. It will also strengthen a weakness if the Packers don’t address the position early in the draft.
There is little doubt in my mind the Packers’ first-round draft pick will be on the defensive side of the ball. What position that pick is will depend on how the draft falls. But if these four picks can take the same type of year one to year two leap the previous draft class made, the need for an impact player from their first pick lessens.
Don’t get me wrong, you don’t draft a player inside the top-15 and expect them not to develop into a solid player for years. But often it takes time to develop into that type of player.
Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history
The expectation for the Packers will be always be the same with Aaron Rodgers at QB, a winning season. If the defense can finally hold up its end of the bargain then a winning season with playoff hopes can turn into a championship year.