Packers 2018 Draft: First-round predictions from Lombardi Ave staff

Tanner Nestle: Packers select Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

The Packers are going to be addressing defense in the first round. Specifically, pass defense. Whether it’s a pass rusher or a secondary player to help in pass coverage, Gutekunst can’t really go wrong.

Denzel Ward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James would be ideal picks to add depth and playmaking to the secondary, but I don’t believe any of the three will be available at 14 for Green Bay.

The pick I expect Gutekunst to make is instead an edge rusher that’ll indirectly help the secondary by creating more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Harold Landry, the sack master from Boston College, would be a fantastic pick for Gutekunst. The pass rush was helped by the addition of Muhammad Wilkerson and adding Landry makes the unit even stronger.

Landry won’t play a ton of snaps early on, but he adds depth to a position familiar with the injury bug and not a lot of success behind the starters. He dominated in college before being injured early last year. He fell on draft boards because it was uncertain if he was a flash in the pan or if his injury had ruined him. Neither is good. His healthy tape is something to behold and his incredible performance at the combine suggests to me that he’s fully recovered from his ankle injury.

I would be thrilled to see Landry in Green & Gold and I think most Packer fans would too. The cornerback and safety class this year is very deep and the Packers can address that need on Day 2. The opportunity to scoop up a difference maker like Landry doesn’t present itself every year. He’ll cause chaos for opposing quarterbacks as he learns from the vets at the position.