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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 North Carolina defensive lineman Jason Strowbridge:
What he can do
– Good mix of length, athleticism and power. Stands 6-4, with a wingspan over 80″. Ran under 5.0 seconds at 275 pounds and did 26 reps
– High RAS player as a defensive lineman
– Played inside and on the edge at UNC. Could have potential at five tech and as a subpackage inside rusher
– Would likely need to add good weight to play as a two-gapping five tech. Could even drop weight and play more like an elephant edge. Intriguing possibilities here
– Effective run stopper. Wins one-on-ones on the inside. Can hold the point against doubles. Jolts blockers with strong hands and controls the action with length. Tenacious
– Tape shows encouraging reps against double teams. Can root to the ground and maintain position, key abilities as a five tech at the next level
– Can play too high at times and get overpowered. Staying low and winning the leverage battle will be key to his development
– Produced 14 tackles for losses and 8.0 sacks as a full-time starter the last two seasons
– Had disruptive moments off stunts, using quickness and agility to scoot around corners and beat linemen to spots
– Good quickness off the ball. Motor runs hot all game
– Hand fighter throughout the rep
– Evaluators in Mobile liked performance on the edge at the Senior Bowl
– Four career blocked kicks
– Older. Turns 24 in September
How he fits
Strowbridge could be an ideal fit for Mike Pettine, either as a two-gapping five-technique inside or as a rotational edge rusher. He showed an ability to do both in flashes, although his best fit is still likely inside, where his length and athleticism can be maximized. Then again, the Packers like their edge rushers big, and he’s big. While he may never be a highly disruptive edge, Strowbridge could be a highly effective inside player, both against the run and in spurts as a rusher. The Packers need to get better against the run, starting with long-term help at five tech. Strowbridge, with his length and power, fits the bill. He projects as a future starting defensive lineman in an odd front or as a backup-level edge rusher in the 3-4 or 4-3.
NFL comp
Size and athleticism markers are actually remarkably similar to former Packers first-round pick Datone Jones. Like Jones, finding a perfect positional fit for Strowbridge could be an issue at the next level. Jones got moved around and never really found a home. Sometimes, versatility can be a huge asset or a curse. Strowbridge will likely get chances inside and on the edge.
Where Packers could get him
Most analysts view Strowbridge as a late Day 2 or Day 3 pick. Taking him with the 96th overall pick could be in consideration. Strowbridge makes sense for the Packers at any point on Day 3.
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
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts
WR Tyler Johnson
IOL Cesar Ruiz
DB Ashtyn Davis
WR Quez Watkins
OT Ben Bartch
IOL Matt Hennessy
WR Isaiah Coulter
RB J.K. Dobbins
OT Lucas Niang
RB A.J. Dillon
TE Dalton Keene
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