Packers: Prospects who can win at the NFL Scouting Combine

Prospects who could rise up the Green Bay Packers’ draft board by showing out at the 2019 NFL Combine.

The 2019 NFL Combine has begun!

An important part of the offseason for everyone, but especially prospects hoping to win themselves suitors in the upcoming draft.

When it comes to the combine, all it takes is one good showing in one key drill and prospects could find themselves shooting up draft boards — think John Ross a couple of years ago. All it takes is one good performance.

Here are four prospects who could win at this year’s combine and find themselves moving up the Packers‘ draft board:

Clelin Ferrell – Clemson (EDGE)

Every year there are a few top prospects that seem to quietly go down mock drafts and prospect rankings. Clelin Ferrell seems to be one of this year’s victims.

However, don’t be mistaken. Ferrell is a top-10 prospect with great burst and hand technique. While Ferrell may perform best as a 4-3 DE, if he can show some speed — especially as Lombardi Ave’s Kevin Culligan points out — during the three-cone drill, maybe the Packers will feel more comfortable using him in their 3-4 formation.

He could be a multi-positional piece that Mike Pettine can move around and have either playing standing up or with his hands in the dirt.

Deionte Thompson – Alabama (Safety)

While a little earlier than many may like, a few mock drafts, such as this one by FanSided’s Brad Weiss and Steve Palazzo of Pro Football Focus’ mock, have Thompson going to the Packers at 12.

Thompson may frighten many Packers fans being ANOTHER safety from Alabama, however if he can shine during the position drills it may dispel some of the worries.

A strong performance in the back-pedal drill will go a long way to help Thompson potentially rise up the Packers’ draft boards.

Brian Burns – FSU (EDGE)

Burns is going to be what many call a “combine warrior”.

He’s going to shine during the 40-yard dash and the three-cone drill. However, for Burns, it is very simple. How much will he weigh?

Burns has all the things you can’t teach: height, length, speed off the edge, athleticism etc. But the one detriment to Burns is how light he is. He’s listed at 235 pounds, which is 25 pounds lighter than Kentucky’s Josh Allen.

If Burns can weigh in even 10 pounds heavier than his normal weight, he might find himself as the Packers’ No. 1 edge rusher. Technique can be taught, but Burns’s natural skills could be special.

Every OT outside the first round

You may be thinking, “why should the Packers be looking at the OT when the real hole they have is at guard?”

The answer is simple: the Packers love moving athletic college tackles to the guard position, most recently Byron Bell and Alex Light.

So any offensive tackles that can perform well in the 40-yard dash and general athletic drills could find themselves becoming targets for the Pack in the later rounds.