This year’s draft wasn’t so much about upgrading the roster but keeping it strong for the future. In order to do so however, Spriggs is going to have to continue to build strength and work on some of the technical aspects of the game. He’s got good lateral quickness and plays until the whistle. Matthews and veteran Julius Peppers project as the starters at outside linebacker.
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In their scouting report on Clark, the guys over at NFLDraftScout.com describe his as a “stout run defender who comes off the ball low and hard, consistently winning the leverage battle”. Clark checks out down the list to step right into that role. Crockett, in his rookie season a year ago, only had nine carries for 21 yards.
Taking Correa in the second round and moving him to a new position might seem a little off the wall, but if he can quickly develop on the inside, the Packers would have two menacing pass-rushers in he and Matthews who can be moved all around the field. He remains unsigned as a free agent. Neal, a defensive end-turned-linebacker, started all but one game last season for the Packers and had four sacks. He ranked second on the team in all three categories.
It was too early to say how exactly Clark would be used, Thompson said. As far as not going in the first round, Spriggs said, “I’m not disappointed”.
For the 12th consecutive year in Green Bay, Thompson swore he took the best available player throughout the three-day draft.
If Smith does fall all the way to the second round for the Packers, they would have to take him.
With the 27th overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday, Green Bay selected former Bruins defensive lineman Kenny Clark. Lang have played at or near an All-Pro level, both could depart next offseason in free agency. He also became the tenth player from the Big Ten to be taken, along with Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliot, Jack Conklin, Eli Apple, the aforementioned Decker, Darron Lee, Austin Johnson, Jihad Ward and Michael Thomas.
“The inside linebacker position’s important”, McCarthy said. “I’ve said this before: I’m glad the coverage and the scrutiny wasn’t this high in 2005”.
“I know my favorite QB is on the team” and “I’m perfectly fine with the cold”.
“All the intangible things we were looking for”, Zimmer said, “he was the one that stood out to us”. So go for it.
The Packers will have four picks on Saturday, with two fourth-rounders and one apiece in the fifth and sixth rounds. “They need to protect (quarterback) Aaron Rodgers and get more athletic (on the line)”. It felt like there were a lot of eyes on you at the time. Green Bay’s depth chart at receiver already includes Nelson, Montgomery, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis. Davis returned two kickoffs for touchdowns as a junior.
“Spriggs is a 6’7”, 305-pound tackle. “He was still sitting there on the board, and we were fortunate enough to pick him”. “He’s a player we liked quite a bit”, Gutekunst said.
-Round 3/88 – Kyler Fackrell, LB, 6-5, 245, Utah St.
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Fackrell was a three-year starter at outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
