Packers: Three more breakout candidates for 2018 season
Vince Biegel, LB
When the Green Bay Packers drafted the hometown kid from Wisconsin Rapids, the hope was he would make immediate contributions to a struggling defense, more specifically, the lackluster pass rush.
But a foot injury halted the start of his rookie season. He suffered the same injury during his senior season at Wisconsin too.
The Packers took Biegel in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft knowing the injury was a reason for his falling draft stock. The hope was Biegel could contribute right away, but that was not the case.
He only played nine games in 2017. In those games, he rarely made an impact. There is still a lot of potential for Biegel though.
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What was said about Gilbert can also be said about Biegel. The Packers have to trust the EDGE rushers they have now because the front office waited until day three of the draft to address what seemed to be a huge need for the defense.
Biegel’s health will determine how his 2018 season goes. Hopefully he can stay on the field and contribute. Taking the pressure off the aging Clay Matthews would be ideal as well. You can’t expect Matthews to play all 16 games in a season anymore.
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If Biegel can stay on the field, there is no doubt that he has the tools and the skill to have a breakout season. Great production anywhere on defense will be huge if the Packers want to make a run for Lombardi Trophy number five.