Packers: 3 under-the-radar players to watch vs. Titans

3. James Looney

The Packers’ top five defensive linemen are near locks to make the roster. Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Muhammad Wilkerson, Dean Lowry, and Montravius Adams comprise the position with the best combination of depth and quality on the team.

In 2014, 2015, and 2016, the team began the season with five defensive linemen. In 2017, that number rose to six. Six is the more typical number for a base 3-4 defense to carry.

The final amount will depend heavily on Mike Pettine’s scheme preferences. Pettine will probably call more three-man fronts than Capers did, which would make keeping six defensive linemen very likely.

There’s a host of competitors for that sixth spot, including fourth-year journeyman run-stuffer Joey Mbu. But seventh-round draft pick James Looney has as good a chance as any.

Looney is six-feet-three inches and 287 pounds, and he played college football at California. Matt Miller’s scouting report described him as athletic with a good first step, but perhaps lacking in bulk and with room for improvement in his pad level.

In fact, Looney registered a tremendous SPARQ score, and measures somewhat similar to former first-round pick Datone Jones physically. Though he hasn’t exactly stood out, Looney has shown his athleticism a few times in training camp already.

Looney’s rawness and 287-pound weight, as well as the outstanding depth ahead of him, means he won’t play much at all this year, barring disaster. He’ll need to bulk up while retaining his quickness and developing a more nuanced set of pass-rushing moves.

But first, he needs to flash enough to convince the Packers that he’s worth keeping around. That starts Thursday night against the Titans.