It's understandable why many Green Bay Packers questioned the Chris McClellan pick, especially with Domonique Orange still on the board. However, former Packers All-Pro John Kuhn has provided a compelling argument.
Orange had been a popular choice for the Packers in mock drafts, far more so than McClellan. Orange wins in athleticism and run-stopping ability, but McClellan's all-around game, especially his interior pass rush, could make him a crucial addition for the Packers.
That's why Kuhn is so excited about his arrival, and he even believes there's some Chris Jones to his game.
"He kind of gives you the Chris Jones feel, right?" Kuhn said. "Athletic enough to really bounce around the outside, stunts and loops with the defensive ends, and can really just muscle it up in the middle, pushing centers back. A lot of his tape is pushing centers and guards back into the lap of the quarterback, which is something that we absolutely need opposite of when Micah Parsons gets there."
John Kuhn is 100 percent correct about the impact Chris McClellan can have on Packers' defense
It would take some effort to reach Jones' level. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler, a three-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and has 87.5 career sacks, including two seasons with 15.5 sacks. That's a pretty high bar to clear.
But Kuhn, to his credit, didn't say Chris McClellan is the next Chris Jones. He said his play "kind of gives you the Chris Jones feel." And he's right.
Kuhn's comments echo what Brian Gutekunst said after drafting McClellan. He praised the Missouri product's versatility to play across the line and his ability to rush the passer, with Gutekunst noting, "there's a lot of these guys that don't do that." Jones is undoubtedly one of the players who can.
"We wouldn't have taken them this high if we didn't think they could help us right away," Gutekunst added.
And it's his potential as a pass-rusher that should really excite Packers fans. Green Bay's interior defensive line got pushed around and bullied last season, especially once they lost Devonte Wyatt to injury. Stopping the run became a problem, but the unit also lacked any kind of consistent pass rush to help Micah Parsons. McClellan can help change that.
He made six sacks in his final season at Missouri, while his 72.8 PFF pass-rush grade ranked 81st among 887 interior linemen. That works.
The Packers will get Wyatt back from injury and added two-time Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave, who has made a career of driving offensive linemen straight into the quarterback.
McClellan might not be the next Jones, but with his ability to move around and make life miserable for interior offensive linemen, there's plenty of reason for excitement.
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