Cory Littleton: Green Bay Packers
Last season, per Sports Info Solutions, no team played more Dime+ defense (six or more defensive backs) than the Packers, who did so on 52% of their defensive snaps. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine prefers his cornerbacks and safeties to play multiple roles, while his frequently singular linebacker is tasked to cover as much space as possible, both against the run and in coverage. That’s interesting in theory, but not so great in practice. Blake Martinez was Green Bay’s primary linebacker in 2019, and while he was OK in coverage and as a run-stopper, he didn’t provide what a base dime defense would need.
Littleton, who has been a star in a Rams defense that played 41% of its snaps in Dime+ last year (third-highest in the league), would fit Pettine’s archetype like a veritable glove. Littleton had 561 coverage snaps, which means he was the lone linebacker on the field for a lot of those plays in Wade Phillips’ defense last season.
As Pro Football Focus points out, Littleton’s six interceptions rank second only to Atlanta’s Deion Jones (seven) among qualifying linebackers who have entered the league since 2016. Littleton also has the second-most forced incompletions (16) and is tied for second with the fewest missed tackles (four). The Packers could pursue an athletic linebacker in the draft, or they could sign Littleton, someone who’s already proven he can play this role in the NFL.