The Green Bay Packers have a massive need at inside linebacker, even after signing veteran Christian Kirksey to start free agency. There’s a good chance the Packers have the worst collection of inside linebackers in the entire NFL.
Another fact: The Packers have increasingly shown disinterest in doing anything more than patching up the chronic hole at inside linebacker. It truly is a position they’ve neglected, likely as a result of pure indifference toward the value of inside linebackers within a defense like Mike Pettine’s.
Maybe the 2019 season changed the minds of difference-makers in Green Bay. More than likely, the Packers will continue using limited resources on inside linebacker, decreasing the chances of GM Brian Gutekunst using a high pick at the position.
If Isaiah Simmons comes off the board early and the Packers don’t draft Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen or want to transition Zack Baun or Josh Uche to off-ball linebacker, here are five others to target on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft:
1. Troy Dye, Oregon
Linebackers are traditionally viewed as run-stoppers, but the best linebackers in today’s NFL can also cover at a high level. Dye is one of the best coverage linebackers in the class, with four years of high-level experience playing a variety of coverages. He’s long and lean and not the most physical linebacker in the draft, but he’s a smooth mover who can hold his own against the run, cover running backs and tight ends with ease and win as a rusher. I couldn’t help but see some of Cory Littleton when I watched Dye at Oregon. He could have similar impact at the next level.
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2. Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
ADG might lack size, but he’s well-rounded as a linebacker and fitting the mold of the rangy, athletic inside linebackers making an impact across the NFL. He looks comfortable playing downhill against the run, ranging horizontally, turning and dropping into coverage areas and attacking the quarterback as a blitzer. There might be an early adjustment period, but Davis-Gaither has starting-level traits.
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3. Logan Wilson, Wyoming
The more you watch Wilson, the more you like him. He was a tackle machine at Wyoming, and his tape revealed encouraging snaps in coverage and steady improvement throughout his game. While at his best attacking downhill and cleaning up tackles all over the field, he also showed a high level of awareness when dropping into zones and reading the quarterback’s eyes. Many of the things he did well in college would translate easily to the Packers defense.
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4. Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State
A true wildcard in the class. He is an explosive, easy-moving athlete who can get to any spot on the field with pure speed. Gay ran under 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, earned high coverage grades from Pro Football Focus and could be an impact player on all three downs in the NFL, but there are major experience and discipline question marks. His range of outcomes at the next level is wide and unpredictable. The Packers may pass based solely on the risk involved.
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5. Davion Taylor, Colorado
The lotto ticket. Taylor isn’t ready to play any significant role at the NFL level, but his athletic traits and potential as a versatile defender are appealing. He can really run and chase, with the speed to make up ground and range sideline to sideline, and Colorado played him at multiple positions in the box. Taylor just needs a lot of development before he’s ready to play. There’s upside here.
Two-down players?
Malik Harrison, Ohio State: A potential instant impact player against the run with athleticism and potential in coverage, but it’s fair to question his ability to handle everything in the passing game, including man-to-man coverage.
Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech: Love his athletic profile and his aggressiveness playing downhill, but can he impact the game at all in coverage? He did little to affect the passing game in college.
Evan Weaver, Cal: He’s going to fit gaps and complicate life for offenses in the run game, but keep him away from the field on third down.
Shaq Quarterman, Miami: B.J. Goodson 2.0. Powerful and physical run-stopper who probably can’t play on passing downs.
Joe Bachie, Michigan State: He’ll hold up just fine against the run, but he probably lacks the movement ability to be a reliable player on all three downs.
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Injury risk
Markus Bailey, Purdue: Could have starter-level ability and potentially even three-down ability if he can stay healthy, but he’s torn both ACLs and also had hip surgery. Huge risk.
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