The Green Bay Packers are banking on many of their more highly-drafted rookies to either earn a starting role or play a plurality of snaps, but there may be one Day 3 player who puts together such a strong preseason showing that the Packers have no choice but to slide him into the lineup.
Sixth-round rookie Georgia product Warren Brinson has the benefit of coming to a team that isn't exactly overflowing with defensive tackle talent. Brinson has all the physical tools needed to become a starter in the pros despite his draft status, and he looks to be well on his way to showcasing that talent in green and gold.
CBS Sports predicts that Brinson is one of five Day 3 rookies who can make an immediate impact. Green Bay waited longer than most would have assumed they would to draft an interior defensive lineman, which leaves only names like Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden in front of Brinson on the depth chart.
The biggest competition for snaps in Green Bay might be Brinson's old college teammate in Nazir Stackhouse. With Brinson possessing a more complete physical toolbox, it stands to reason that he could eventually knock his old teammate out of the way and become an impactful rotation player.
Warren Brinson could have an impactful role for Packers in Year 1
Brinson played for five seasons in a Bulldogs program that won two national championships. However, his production never got a ton of attention, as he always needed to split snaps with multiple other players who were destined to head to the pros.
Brinson's 315-pound frame and 80-inch arms all suggest that he will have pro-level power that NFL guards may struggle with. While his pass-rush production at Georgia was wholly unremarkable (six sacks in five years, never more than two in any given year), those numbers could tick upward in the pros.
The Packers have let many of their highly-touted young players get a good chunk of reps in their rookie seasons, and Brinson may be no different if he continues to stack positive days together in training camp. Green Bay's defensive structure is far from finalized, which could lead to Brinson getting some extra reps.