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.
Up next is Alabama edge rusher Terrell Lewis:
What he can do
– Impressively long edge rusher. Stands 6-5 with a nearly 84″ wingspan. Lean, athletic build
– Hands are heavy. Delivers a jolt when he lands the first strike. Can pop and disengage
– Didn’t run or do agility drills at the combine, but produced impressive jumps (37″ vertical, 10-4 broad) at 262 pounds
– Tape shows flashes of real quickness off the ball and turning the corner. Pass-rushing tools are present
– Third-best pressure rate among qualified edge rushers in the draft class, per PFF. Produced 48 total pressures on only 259 pass-rush reps. Big potential for production as he continues to develop pass-rushing plan
– Relies on length too often. Needs counter moves. Has the makings of a strong inside spin move
– Great closing speed to the quarterback
– Physical against the run, relishes contact. Should be able to hold the edge better as he gets bigger and stronger, but still a work in progress here
– A lot of production against the run came as an unblocked edge player
– Devastatingly effective as a stunt rusher inside. Way too quick for unsuspecting guards, centers
– Injury history has to be considered. Missed most of 2017 season with elbow injury and all of 2018 with torn ACL. Missed another game in 2019 with knee issue
– Played under 700 total collegiate snaps. Lack of experience showed up occasionally. Missed a lot of important developmental reps
How he fits
The Packers have done extensive work on Lewis, starting at the Senior Bowl, extending through the combine (multiple meetings) and culminating with a virtual pre-draft meeting. They clearly see Lewis as a high-upside player worth the extra homework. He has the length and all the tools of a starting edge, with legit potential to be a game-changing rusher if he gets stronger, receives the right coaching and develops into the full package over time. The Packers don’t necessarily have a need at outside linebacker, but Kyler Fackrell departed in free agency and teams are always looking for players who can affect the passing game. Depth is coveted. Lewis is raw but he could be an effective subpackage or rotational rusher early in his career while he continues developing.
NFL comp
Has that long, lean build of former first-round pick Leonard Floyd, but Lewis proved he can hold more weight on his 6-5 frame by showing up at the combine at 262 pounds. Could be a more athletic, higher-ceiling version of Adrian Hubbard, a former Bama edge rusher who spent some time in Green Bay. NFL.com likes Andre Branch as a comparison.
Where Packers could get him
Possibly at No. 30, or, if teams are really scared off by his injury history and inexperience, sometime on Day 2. The Packers’ pre-draft interest could be in preparation of a slide, which might lead to a chance to get him at No. 62 or later. Comparisons to Danielle Hunter have been made, and he lasted until deep into the third round.
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
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess