Rookie third-rounder Chris McClellan has a unique opportunity to earn a starting job on the Green Bay Packers' defensive line. Not many 77th overall picks have that kind of chance off the bat.
Part of that is McClellan's talent, which impressed the Packers enough to trade up for him in the draft. It's also partly due to the roster's lack of run stuffers up front. Once Colby Wooden went out the door in the trade to acquire linebacker Zaire Franklin from the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay left itself even weaker in an already vulnerable area. The trade left a void up front that has been overlooked by much of the fanbase.
Packers fans have a clear measuring stick for McClellan's season as the projected starting nose tackle. Does he minimize Wooden's absence, or does it stick out like a sore thumb?
Colby Wooden's departure is slipping under the radar, but Chris McClellan could be the solution
Wooden was no Pro Bowler and not even a high-caliber starter, but he filled an underappreciated role as a capable force against the run. The Packers love having Micah Parsons, but losing long-time nose tackle Kenny Clark in last August's blockbuster still stings.
McClellan will be tasked with filling his shoes. He'll have veteran help on either side in Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave. They'll handle the pass rush, although McClellan can certainly contribute there, too, as he showed at Missouri last season with six sacks.
Wyatt and Hargrave aren't as equipped to stuff the run. That's just not their skill set. McClellan has the necessary size advantage to play nose. He weighed in at 313 pounds at the combine, which might be below his in-season playing weight. Pro Football Focus listed him 10 pounds higher in his final year of college.
Even McClellan's combine weight would give him a huge edge over Wooden, who lacked the bulk of a traditional nose tackle. On top of that, McClellan provides more in the pass rush than Wooden was able to in three Packers seasons.
Rushing the passer won't be his Priority No. 1. Green Bay needs someone to slow the ground game after getting gouged a year ago. In the NFC North, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears both boast energetic rushing attacks. Especially with Wooden gone, investing in a legitimate nose tackle was a prudent counter from the Packers.
When push comes to shove, McClellan's impact this season will depend in large part on how effectively he replaces Wooden as the designated run stopper up front. He has already impressed the coaching staff. While it's fair to point out that he hasn't even had his first training camp, don't count out McClellan even giving the Packers an upgrade, rookie or not.
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