The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Next up is LSU defensive back Grant Delpit:
What he can do
– Potentially special player in coverage from a variety of spots, although inconsistent while battling through injury in 2019. Occasionally showcases Tyrann Mathieu-like instincts. Film from 2018 is littered with impressive moments
– Impressive short-area quickness. Gets downhill and side-to-side in a hurry. Change of direction ability allows him to beat players to spots and disrupt plays
– So versatile. LSU asked him to do just about everything. Played deep, in the box, in the slot, covered just about every position and blitzed. NFL teams will have to decide if he can do it all at the next level
– Length is a plus. Stands 6-2 and can really jump. Great for disrupting passing windows
– Can he play in the box in the NFL? Passive maneuvering around blocks and far too inconsistent as a tackler. Aggressiveness isn’t a concern, but he could be easily overwhelmed and a potential liability as a front seven defender
– Tackling issues are really concerning. Tons of diving misses. Struggled at times to get bigger, stronger players down. Can he be taught to consistently wrap up? Missed 36 tackles his final two seasons, including 20 in 2019, per PFF
– Can be a violent hitter when he hits his mark
– Can he play deep in the NFL? Straight-line speed and range from the deep half might only be average. Not great as a last-line defender in run support either
– Goes and attacks the ball in the air. Could be a high-volume turnover-creator
How he fits
The Packers love safeties, especially safeties with versatility. They signed Adrian Amos and used a first-round pick on Darnell Savage, but Mike Pettine will always find ways of getting versatile safeties on the field. He’ll especially like Delpit’s aggressiveness and coverage ability, potentially as an interchangeable safety, slot corner or overhang defender when the Packers have just one linebacker on the field. It’s an intriguing fit, even though Delpit probably lacks the size and tackling ability to survive in the box. If Delpit can shake off last year’s ankle injury and return to the rapidly ascending player he was in 2018, a team like the Packers could get a steal late in the first round and into the second (with a trade down). He has game-disrupting ability and a high ceiling.
NFL comp
Malcolm Jenkins. The two Jim Thorpe Award winners both have aggressive playstyles and unique coverage ability from several different spots on the field. Delpit could have the same man-to-man matchup ability at the next level.
Where Packers could get him
It would likely take the 30th overall pick, although more and more mock drafts are putting Delpit in the second round. Anything can happen during the draft, but him falling to pick No. 62 in the second round still seems unlikely. There’s probably a better chance of him being off the board by 30 than falling to 62.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas