5 potential replacements for Joe Barry as Packers defensive coordinator

2. Ryan Downard

The Green Bay Packers might have a solution for the Joe Barry woes right in their midst. Defensive backs coach Ryan Downard is a young coach (35) who was recently identified as a coach to watch for the future on Tom Pelissero's expansive annual list for NFL.com.

When you look at defensive coordinator options, one of the things you have to take into account is player development. And the Packers have developed some studs in the secondary while also being able to prove they can coach at least one guy up as a reclamation project (Rasul Douglas).

Downard may not have the experience of some other possible DC candidates, but he definitely offers some intrigue and familiarity with the personnel, which could be a key factor.

3. Marquand Manuel

Bringing in former players to your coaching staff is undoubtedly en vogue in today's NFL, and former NFL safety Marquand Manuel has been steadily ascending up the coaching ranks in recent years.

Manuel is currently the defensive backs coach for Robert Saleh's New York Jets, and that alone makes him a fascinating candidate. The Jets have managed to stay in the thick of the playoff race this season thanks to their incredible defense, and getting a piece of Robert Saleh's coaching tree defensively at this point seems like it could be a wise idea.

The Jets obviously have some studs in that defensive backfield, but they have developed everything from top picks like Sauce Gardner to late-round and undrafted guys contributing to that aggressive defense.