After losing Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare, the Green Bay Packers suddenly need reinforcements off the edge. Adding a veteran free agent might make more sense, but exploring options in the draft should remain firmly on the table, both for present depth and future development.
Perhaps that's what the Packers were thinking when they scheduled a pre-draft visit with Texas Tech defensive end Romello Height. His production as a sixth-year senior was undeniable. On a Big 12 champion defense, Height compiled 10 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. He is of the nimble, twitchy breed becoming increasingly popular on NFL defensive lines.
Size, however, is the problem. Listed as 6-foot-3, 239 pounds at the combine, Height is physically more comparable to a middle linebacker than a typical edge rusher. That could give the Packers pause, especially given how much they value dominant athletic traits. Aside from possible insights into his motivation and work ethic, they won't glean much in that regard by visiting with Height ahead of the draft.
Romello Height must convince interested NFL teams that he can bulk up in the pros
Omitted from Height's box score stats is his top-of-the-crop grade according to Pro Football Focus. With an overall score of 92.9, he clocked in at No. 1 in the nation, co-leader of the Red Raiders' elite unit alongside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
PFF also credited Height with 56 pressures (seventh), 39 hurries (sixth), and three forced fumbles (seventh). At the college level, his lack of bulk did not prevent him from making a major impact.
He may have difficulty translating his big-play ability to the NFL. Draft expert Lance Zierlein notes several salient concerns.
"An edge defender with a lean, angular frame, Height will need a heavy dose of weight-room work to compete at the pro level. … his lack of play strength and contact balance allow blockers to bounce him around. Height needs to improve his skill level and refine his approach if he's going to make an impact as a designated pass rusher."
Simply increasing his body density would be significant. Barryn Sorrell, Green Bay's fourth-round selection at edge rusher last year, checked in at the combine with 17 pounds on Height's current weight. On PFF's draft prospect big board, no edge rusher listed ahead of Height, the 77th-ranked overall prospect, is lighter.
He'll clearly have some work to do off the field to push past offensive linemen in the pros. Making an immediate impact would require adding substantial weight over the summer. More likely, Height profiles as a rookie who could be better expected to contribute later in the season and, in particular, in year two after a full offseason of NFL workouts.
Especially with Micah Parsons' return date still unknown, the Packers might hesitate to draft Height knowing he could offer limited help early on.
Conversely, perhaps they sign a veteran for now and invest in Height as a future weapon. Scheduling a visit with the Red Raiders' game-wrecker suggests at least some degree of interest. The meeting won't give the Packers much additional data to project his NFL physique, but maybe that won't matter.