Packers: Players to watch during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine
Day 3: Defensive linemen and linebackers
Defensive linemen
The defensive line is another hole the Packers have. Outside of Kenny Clark, there isn’t a whole lot to get excited about. I’m not sure what they have in Kingsley Keke yet, but I think it’s safe to say the Packers need an upgrade from Tyler Lancaster.
After the 49ers ran all over them in the NFC Championship Game, it became pretty clear they need to invest in the defensive line this offseason. I don’t think they’ll necessarily draft someone high, but I could see them investing a middle-round pick on a player if they fall and get a good value.
Neville Gallimore – Oklahoma
Gallimore may be more of an interior defensive lineman, but you can’t have enough of those either. He could come in and provide some relief inside and move Clark to end for a few plays. Gallimore has a high motor and is a good pass rusher from the interior of the line. He could provide some solid depth to this defensive line.
James Lynch – Baylor
Lynch could turn into a steal in the draft. Coming out of Baylor as their all-time sack leader, Lynch knows how to get to the QB. He isn’t the biggest or most athletically gifted player, but he has a high motor and puts maximum effort into every play.
Raekwon Davis – Alabama
Another pipe dream, but you never know, if Davis were to fall to the Packers in the second round, I think they’d have a hard time passing him up. A senior out of Alabama, he is an athletic freak for his size. If the Packers could snag him, their defensive line would be immediately improved.
Edge
You could argue the Packers are set at the edge position. They have the Smith brothers and spent last year’s first-round pick on an edge rusher in Rashan Gary, who you hope will take a big step in his second year. While the Smiths were great last year, there wasn’t a ton of production behind them. Kyler Fackrell will be a free agent this offseason. They may bring him back on or look to add more depth through the draft.
Jabari Zuniga – Florida
Zuniga is an explosive and athletic pass rusher. He had a great start to his 2019 season, with 14 tackles, seven for loss, three sacks in six games, but the production was halted after he sustained a high ankle sprain. He will need to bulk up a bit so he doesn’t get blown off the line in the NFL, but his athleticism could provide some issues for opposing teams when he comes into the game in relief.
Jonathan Greenard – Florida
Greenard is a bendy pass rusher who has all the traits of an NFL pass rusher. He is explosive, athletic and quick. He earned first-team All-SEC last season with 15.5 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks in 12 games. He also looks to strip the ball when making tackles. He forced three fumbles in 2019. He had a major wrist injury in 2018, which could be a red flag on his medicals.
Afernee Jennings – Alabama
Jennings isn’t the most gifted pass rusher in the class, but he is smart and physical, giving him the ability to set strong edges. With some coaching, Jennings could turn into a starting 3-4 outside linebacker sooner rather than later. In his final season at Alabama, he racked up 12 tackles for a loss and eight sacks.
Bradlee Anae – Utah
When it comes to rushing the passer, Anae is more of a bull in a china shop than a bendy/speed rusher. He attacks blockers with aggressiveness and is quick enough to get to the blocker first. He can stand up and rush or put his hand in the dirt. He would provide some nice energy off the bench rushing the quarterback.
Linebackers
One of, if not the top need for the Packers to fill this offseason. Blake Martinez was good, he racked up tackles like crazy but struggled mightily in pass defense. With the price he’ll command on the open market, I doubt they bring him back, leaving the Packers with Oren Burks. Yikes. The Packers need to invest in a player who can contribute right away.
Troy Dye – Oregon
Dye is close to the prototypical linebacker in the NFL these days. He has a high football IQ and great sideline-to-sideline speed. He doesn’t miss a whole lot of tackles and has the ability to cover or blitz. One knock on Dye would be his size. He isn’t the biggest linebacker and would likely need to bulk up a bit.
Kenneth Murray – Oklahoma
Murray would be my dream pick. He has what Martinez lacks. Speed. In today’s NFL, you need speed on defense. Murray is a very talented linebacker who is consistently in the backfield. Over his last two seasons, he averaged 15 tackles for a loss. He does get out of position occasionally while trying to make plays or being aggressive, but overall he is one of the top linebackers in the draft. Keep an eye on him.
Patrick Queen – LSU
Queen is the latest linebacker from the LSU factory. He is fast and physical and can diagnose plays quickly. He has the ability to stop the run and play coverage effectively. He and Murray are the cream of the crop at linebacker and I think the Packers need to try to snag one of them.
Zack Baun – Wisconsin
Wisconsin fans know Baun and know that he played outside linebacker last season. But Baun is big enough that he could slide over to inside linebacker. He would be much better in coverage and has shown he can blitz with effectiveness. This would be similar to moving Clay Matthews inside.